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UNIVERSITY 


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COLORADO 

_ 


fl  Complete  and  comprehensive  Description 

OF  THE 


AGRICULTURAL, 

STOCK  RAISING  hnd 

MINERAL  RESOURCES 

OF  COLORADO. 


Also  Statistics  in  regard  to  its  Climate. 

Complied  from  tlie  Latest  Reports. 


Compliments  of  the 

Passenger  Department. 


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ggg^g  ?0cs  -^Essi* 

C : V n - - 


THE 


RESOURCES  AND  ATTRACTIONS 


COLORADO 


HOMESEEKER,  CAPITALIST,  AND  TOURIST. 


FACTS  ON  CLIMATE,  SOIL,  FARMING,  STOCK  RAISINC,  DAIRYINC,  FRUIT 
CROWINC,  LUMBERINC,  MININC,  SCENERY,  CAME  AND  FISH. 


COMPLIMENTS  OF  THE 

PASSENGER  DEPARTMENT. 


A COMPLETE  AND  COMPREHENSIVE  DESCRIPTION 
OF  THE  AGRICULTURAL,  HORTICULTURAL,  STOCK  RAISING 
AND  MINERAL  RESOURCES  OF  COLORADO; 

ALSO  STATISTICS  IN  REGARD  TO  ITS  CLIMATE,  ETC., 
COMPILED  FROM  THE  LATEST  REPORTS. 


Omaha,  1899. 


Copyright  1899,  BY  Union  Pacific  Railroad  Co.,  Omaha,  Neb. 


EIGHTH  EDITION. 


AN  OUTLINE 


In  the  diversity  of  her  natural  resources  Colorado  is  unequaled  by  any 
State  in  the  Union.  In  the  extent  of  these  resources  she  is  possessed  of 
immense  wealth,  and  in  their  adaptation  to  the  wants  of  man  her  capabilities 
are  unlimited.  Colorado  is  a mining  State,  producing  the  precious  metals 
and  the  useful  minerals;  it  is  an  agricultural  State,  producing  in  great 
abundance  the  products  of  the  farm  and  garden;  it  is  a stock-growing  State, 
with  unbounded  possibilities;  it  is  a broad  and  promising  field  for  the  in- 
dustries, the  arts  and  the  sciences.  Colorado  possesses  great  wealth  in  her 
natural  scenery,  her  pure  air  and  her  places  of  attraction  for  health  and 
pleasure.  Geographically,  she  is  a great  rendezvous  upon  the  highways  of 
commerce  and  travel  between  the  two  oceans  and  between  British  America 
and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  center  of  the  new  Western  civilization — the 
central  ground  upon  which  is  gathered  the  combinations  of  all  the  forces  of 
mind  and  matter  to  make  a great  and  powerful  State. 

Colorado  is  twenty-two  years  old. 

It  is  a vast  health  resort. 

The  production  of  precious  metals  was  $47,109,562  in  1898. 

Petroleum  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  State. 

It  has  40,000  square  miles  of  coal. 

And  produced  about  4,000,000  tons  in  1898. 

There  are  in  Colorado,  on  an  average,  fifty-six  cloudy  days  in  a year. 

It  has  32,000,000  acres  of  arable  land. 

The  assessed  valuation  for  1898  was  $192,243,0S0. 


CONTENTS 


Page. 

An  Outline 7-9 

Climate  and  Health 92-97 

Climate  and  Soil 90 

Coal  and  Oil 36,  37 

Coal  Lands 17 

Colorado  by  Counties 43-89 

Colorado  Condensed 42,  43 

Cost  of  Living  in  Colorado 38,  39 

Dairy  and  Poultry  Products 27 

Educational  Advantages 39,  40 

Farms  and  Farming  in  Colorado 19,  20,  21,  22 

In  Southern  Colorado 7 22 

Fruits  and  Fruit  Growing 28-31 

Government  Lands 41 

Health  Resorts  and  Attractions 98 

Cottonwood  and  Hey  wood  Springs 102 

Idaho  Springs 99 

Morrison  Springs 102 

Hunting  and  Fishing 103 

Important  Relations  of  the  Union  Pacific  R’y  to  Colorado 14,  15 

Irrigation 18,  19 

Location  and  Area 42 

Manufacturing 37,  3S 

Mining  and  Precious  Metals 31 

Advantages  of  Railroads  and  Smelters 44 

Character  of  Ores  Found 33 

Deep  and  Extensively  Developed  Mines 33 

Gold  Placer  Mining 35 

Phenomenal  Ore  Bodies  and  Dividends 34 

Present  and  Future  Opportunities 36 

The  Nature  of  Veins  and  Deposits 32 

Total  Yield  of  the  State 32 


6 


CONTENTS. 


Mountain  Grandeurs 112-114 

Mountain  Lakes 104 

Chicago  Lakes 106 

Clear  Lake 165 

Cottonwood  Lake 167 

Elk  Lake 1°5 

Evergreen  Lakes  ....  •- 106 

“Gem  of  the  Cordilleres” 105 

Green  Lake 105 

Twin  Lakes 106 

Parks  of  Colorado 107 

Estes  Park HO 

Middle  Park 107 

North  Park 107 

South  Park. HI 

Physical  Features 7 

Railroad  Lands 40,  41 

Soils  of  Colorado 16,  17 

Stock  Raising  in  Colorado 12,  16,  14 

Timber  and  Tree  Culture • ■ 42 

Trips  for  the  Tourist 97,  98 

WaterCourses 15 

Waste  Lands 17 

Wealth,  Progress  and  Resources 9 

Wool  Growing 13-26 


COLORADO 


LOCATION  AND  AREA. 

Colorado  is  situated  between  latitude  37°  and  41°  north,  and  longitude 
102°  and  109°  west.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Wyoming  Territory  and 
Nebraska,  on  the  east  by  Nebraska  and  Kansas,  on  the  south  by  Indian 
Territory  and  New  Mexico,  and  on  the  west  by  Utah.  The  State  has  an  area 
of  104,500  square  miles,  and  is  divided  into  forty-two  counties.  Its  average 
length,  east  and  west,  is  380  miles,  and  its  breadth,  north  and  south,  280 
miles.  That  their  readers  might  realize  in  some  degree  the  vast  extent  of 
this  area,  it  has  been  frequently  stated  by  writers  in  their  descriptive  ac- 
counts of  Colorado  that  it  is  larger  than  all  the  New  England  States  com- 
bined, with  the  State  of  Ohio  added;  it  is  larger  than  the  four  Middle  States, 
and  larger  than  England,  Scotland  and  Wales  combined. 

A glance  at  the  map  shows  the  many  advantages  of  its  location  in  relation 
to  the  commerce  and  the  industries  of  the  western  half  of  the  republic.  Oc- 
cupying a central  position  in  the  community  of  Western  States  and  Terri- 
tories, forming  a great  portion  of  their  agricultural  area,  and  exceeding  each 
of  them  in  natural  resources,  it  is  the  land  to  which  all  the  industrial  regions 
of  the  West  will  come  to  pay  tribute  and  exchange  the  products  of  their 
labor  and  their  enterprise. 


PHYSICAL  FEATURES. 

In  its  general  aspects  Colorado  has  two  natural  divisions— mountains  and 
plains.  To  the  mountains  belong  the  park  system  and  the  foothills.  The 
broad  mesas  and  extensive  valleys  of  the  western  slope  are  also  included  in 
the  mountain  division,  while  upon  the  plains  there  are  to  be  seen  some  promi- 
nent and  peculiar  elevations.  Over  one-third  (about  three-eighths)  of  the 
eastern  part  of  the  State  is  plains,  the  western  part  containing  an  area  of 
230  by  280  square  miles,  principally  mountainous. 

The  plains,  with  the  exception  of  a strip  of  undulating  country  varying  in 
width  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  miles  eastward  from  the  foothills,  are 
generally  level  and  arid,  broken  only  by  the  depressions  which  form  the 
natural  drainage  of  this  vast  expanse  of  treeless  land.  These  become  actual 
and  sometimes  exceedingly  vigorous  water-courses  in  rainy  seasons,  and 
they  are  dignified  with  the  names  of  creeks  and  rivers;  but  for  the  most 
part  it  is  a river  or  creek  without  water. 

Starting  from  the  foothills  in  El  Paso  county,  and  running  through  El 
Paso  and  a portion  of  Bent  counties  eastward  to  the  Kansas  State  line,  is  a 
range  of  hills  which  is  known  as  the  “Divide.”  It  is  an  important  feature 
in  Colorado’s  physical  structure,  and  serves  the  purpose  of  dividing  the  east- 
ern, or  plains,  portion  of  the  State  at  its  center.  It  is  partly  covered  with 
valuable  timber,  and  comprises  rich  agricultural  lands,  which  are  watered 
by  rains  throughout  the  crop  season.  At  the  summit  of  this  range  is  the 


8 


COLORADO. 


famous  Palmer’s  Lake,  a beautiful  body  of  crystal  water,  springing  clear 
and  cold  from  the  mysterious  depths.  Prom  this  point  the  waters  flow 
north  and  south  down  through  the  plains,  as  do  all  water-courses  of  the 
plains,  northward  toward  the  Platte  and  southward  toward  the  Arkansas, 
till  the  southern  counties  are  reached,  when  the  streams  flow  northward 
again  to  the  Arkansas. 

To  the  mountains  belong  physical  features  of  varied  and  peculiar  interest. 
The  Continental  Range  crosses  the  State  nearly  north  and  south,  near 
its  center.  Here  the  Rocky  Mountains  attain  their  greatest  elevation— 200 
peaks  nearly  13,000  feet  high,  and  about  twenty-five  peaks  from  14,000  to 
14,400  feet  high  being  visible  from  Mount  Lincoln.  Between  latitudes  30° 
30"  and  40°  30",  which  is  nearly  the  central  portion  of  the  State,  the  chain  is 
about  120  miles  broad,  consisting  of  three  parallel  ranges,  running  nearly 
north-northwest.  The  east  one,  called  the  Front,  or  Colorado  Range,  as 
seen  from  Denver,  appears  to  rise  abruptly  from  Ihe  plains,  stretching  with 
snowclad  summits  from  Pike’s  Peak  on  the  south  to  a group  twenty  miles 
north  of  Long's  Peak,  a distance  of  120  miles.  Six  of  its  peaks — Long’s 
Peak,  Mount  Torrey,  Gray’s  Peak,  Mount  Rosalie,  Mount  Evans  and  Pike’s 
Peak — are  from  14,000  to  14,340  feet  high,  the  latter  altitude  belonging  to 
Mount  Rosalie. 

At  best  advantage  of  clear  atmosphere  and  prominent  position,  there  is 
a view  of  mountain  scenery  of  200  miles  in  one  sweep  from  Denver.  Pike’s 
Peak  towers  aloft  in  giant  greatness  away  to  the  south;  westward,  beyond 
and  above  the  shadowing  forms  and  snowy  crests  of  other  mountain  grand- 
eurs, Gray’s  Peak  raises  its  venerable  form  and  bathes  its  silver-crowned 
head  in  the  clouds.  Long's  Peak,  the  beauty  of  the  range,  rises  from  the 
midst  of  the  foothills,  with  the  symmetry  of  a cone,  to  an  altitude  of  14,271 
feet  above  the  sea. 

West  of  this  range  lie  the  parks — North  Park  in  Larimer  and  Routt 
counties,  Middle  Park  in  Grand  county,  and  South  Park  in  Park  county. 
Almost  in  a direct  line  north  and  south  with  these  parks  is  San  Luis  Park, 
in  Southern  Colorado,  the  largest  in  the  State.  It  is  known  under  its  recent 
agricultural  development  as  San  Luis  Park,  or  San  Luis  Valley.  The  west 
boundary  of  the  first  three  parks  is  Park  Range.  In  this  range  twenty 
peaks  exceed  13,000  feet  in  height,  and  two  peaks  are  over  14,000  feet  above 
sea-level.  The  Blue  river  group  lies  twenty  miles  north,  having  many  peaks 
over  13,000  feet  in  height. 

South  Park  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  Rampart  Range,  at  the  foot  of 
which  is  Pike’s  Peak.  On  the  west  it  is  bounded  by  Park  Range.  West  of 
the  south  part  of  the  Park  Range  is  the  Arkansas  Valley,  and  west  of  this 
the  Sagauche  Sierra  Madre  Range,  or  Natioral  Range,  dividing  through 
nearly  its  whole  extent  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic  from  those  of  the  Pacific. 
This  range  is  the  most  important  as  well  as  the  most  prominent  feature  in 
the  mountain  system  of  Colorado.  It  is  the  dividing  line  between  two  sec- 
tions of  the  State,  having  different  peculiarities.  Not  only  does  it  mark  the 
distinction  between  the  eastern  and  western  slopes,  but  it  divides  a country 
differing  in  physical  structure,  in  peculiarities  of  climate  and  soil,  in  its 
industries  and  its  sources  of  wealth.  It  is  parallel  with,  and  about  sixteen 
miles  west  of,  tlie  Park  Range,  terminating  soine  forty  miles  northwest  of 
Mount  Lincoln  in  the  Mount  of  the  Holy  Cross,  14,176  feet  high.  The  high- 
est part  of  this  range  is  at  the  Grand  Mount  lin,  about  14,200  feet  above  the 
sea,  twenty  miles  south  of  the  Holy  Cross,  from  whence,  for  fifty  miles  far- 
ther south,  the  whole  range  averages  13,000  feet  high,  with  ten  peaks,  rising 
at  intervals  of  from  five  to  eight  miles,  to  a height  of  14,000  feet  or  over. 
The  principal  summits  are  Mounts  Elbert,  La  Plata,  Harvard  and  Yale. 

West  of  the  National  Range  are  the  Elk  Mountains,  thirty-five  miles  dis- 
tant. The  most  elevated  peaks  form  a ridge  thirty  miles  long  and  nearly 
parallel  with  the  National  Range. 


COLORADO. 


9 


West  of  this  group  there  are  no  high  mountains,  the  ridges  changing 
within  twenty  miles  to  plateaus,  which  fall  off  to  the  Colorado  river. 

The  Raton  Mountains,  running  in  an  eastern  direction  from  the  main 
range,  form  the  southern  base  of  Colorado.  The  Spanish  Peaks  are  notable 
features.  The  Sangre  de  Cristo  Range  and  the  Culebra  Range  form  the 
eastern  front  of  the  Rockies  in  the  southern  portion.  Sierra  Blanca,  in  the 
Sangre  de  Cristo,  is  the  highest  peak  in  the  State,  having  an  altitude  of 
14,464  feet.  The  Uncompaghre  and  the  Sierra  San  Miguel  Mountains  form 
the  range  system  of  Southwestern  Colorado.  West  of  the  main  range,  in  the 
southern  portion,  the  Sierra  San  Juan  extends  nearly  north  and  south,  form- 
ing the  west  wall  of  San  Luis  Park.  The  Rio  Grande  forms  the  northeast 
limit  of  this  range.  The  Sierra  La  Plata  extends  west  from  the  San  Juan 
Range  to  the  southwestern  boundary  of  the  State. 

WEALTH,  PROGRESS  AND  RESOURCES. 

Within  a period  of  less  than  a dozen  years  the  people  of  America  have 
lealized  that  Colorado  is  one  of  the  greatest  States  in  the  Union.  The  gold- 
seeking pioneers  of  ’59,  and,  later,  the  railway  pioneers  of  ’70  and  ’72,  were 
the  prophets  of  Colorado’s  future,  and  many  of  them  have  lived  to  realize 
their  most  extravagant  dreams. 

In  the  abundance  of  her  resources  consists  the  greatness  of  the  .State; 
and  so  abundant  are  these  resources  that,  taken  singly,  with  but  few  excep- 
tions any  one  of  them  would  be  an  abundant  source  of  wealth  to  a large 
population.  Combined,  as  they  are,  there  was  never  in  the  history  of  civil- 
ization a country  where  the  provisions  of  nature  and  the  requirements  of 
man  were  more  happily  united  with  the  intelligence  and  enterprise  of  a 
people  to  make  a country  great. 

The  phenomenal  development  of  Colorado  from  a crude  existence  as  a 
Territory  to  the  dignified  position  of  Statehood,  only  twenty-two  years  ago, 
and  her  precocious  growth  since  that  time,  has  spread  her  fame  from  shore 
to  shore  upon  the  American  continent,  and  today  brings  to  her  the  admira- 
tion of  the  world.  Colorado  is  no  longer  the  domain  of  wild  adventure  or 
mystic  wonder,  but  a land  of  peace,  abundance  and  beauty,  whose  many 
charms  are  drawing  within  its  boundaries  people  from  all  sections  of  the 
civilized  world  in  their  rational  pursuit  of  wealth  and  happiness. 


10 


COLORADO. 


ASSESSED  VALUATION  OF  COLORADO  BY  COUNTIES. 

The  following  table  shows  the  returns  of  the  Assessor  of  each  county 
of  the  State,  and  is  a transcript  from  the  records  of  the  State  Auditor 
for  1898. 


In  the  stock  column  allowance  must  be  made  for  large  additions  of 
cattle  which  are  driven  in  after  the  count  has  been  made  by  the  Assessor. 


Counties. 

Horses. 

Mules. 

Cattle. 

Abstracts  of 
Assessment. 

1898. 

1898. 

1898. 

No.  of 

Valu'n. 

No.of 

Valu'n. 

No.  of 

Valu’n. 

1897. 

1898. 

Arapahoe  

17,123 

8235,465 

431 

$6,910 

28,124 

$422,195 

$72,271,985 

$69,299,542 

Archuleta 

1.030 

10,816 

26 

362 

5,465 

53.385 

428,825 

426.591 

Baca 

1,981 

12,248 

57 

741 

26,649 

110,521 

254,382 

252,410' 

Bent 

2.488 

17,(585 

165 

1,608 

8,429 

54,174 

929,580 

899,819 

Boulder 

6,934 

108, 2! 'C 

347 

5,425 

11,045 

128,485 

4,994,934 

5,384,312 

< haffee 

1,352 

18,620 

50 

920 

3,894 

31,130 

2.214,942 

2,200,920 

Cheyenne  

678 

2,691 

10 

77 

4,252 

26,648 

1.133,075 

1,046,7*71 

Clear  Creek. . . 

828 

23,320 

27 

610 

464 

7.275 

2,156.068 

2,122,922 

< 'onejos 

4,119 

43,434 

102 

1,490 

9,359 

103,265 

1.833,474 

1,751,819 

Costilla 

3,251 

29,590 

97 

1,416 

5,556 

68,645 

1,248,401 

1,230,545 

Custer 

2,497 

38,705 

44 

825 

10,205 

103,483 

633,135 

625,474 

Delta 

4,019 

44,601 

142 

1,935 

13,330 

115,013 

1,005,534 

1,109,055 

Dolores 

148 

2.915 

12 

280 

664 

8,715 

542,223 

466,284 

1 'ougias 

3,103 

42,100 

99 

1,610 

12.550 

129,095 

1,811.608 

1,853,256 

liable 

2,311 

25,230 

30 

309 

10,018 

129,171 

1,105,692 

1,173,331 

Elbert 

4,058 

41 ,385 

154 

2,720 

18.710 

209,770 

1,776,871 

1,857,856 

El  Paso 

8,732 

92,160 

427 

5,960 

20,943 

252,135 

14,097,130 

15,164,130 

Fremont 

5,798 

49,470 

189 

3,635 

14.913 

149,320 

3,957,746 

4.143,108 

Garfield 

2 503 

10  125 

54 

685 

14,656 

104,795 

3,176,877 

2,082,539 

Gilpin 

809 

29,945 

31 

1,120 

■712 

11,940 

1.805,209 

1^910,479 

Grand 

1,677 

26,199 

22 

342 

11.472 

92,957 

315,425 

307,747 

uunnison 

2,602 

17,633 

96 

1,335 

19,599 

159.821 

1,349,078 

1,919,072 

Hinsdale 

332 

5,560 

21 

455 

258 

4,189 

520,011 

430.635 

Huerfano 

3,247 

33,327 

197 

4,637 

9,557 

117.487 

1,665,144 

1,696,870 

Jefferson 

5,494 

74,925 

113 

1,620 

11,502 

110,916 

4,008,504 

3,996,205 

Kiowa 

932 

7,493 

13 

137 

6,743 

46,343 

3,063,406 

1,092,204 

Kit  Carson 

2,073 

12,160 

40 

382 

8,880 

49,713 

898,479 

933.990 

I.ake 

1,729 

46,980 

67 

2,190 

998 

17,373 

3,874,738 

3.914,679 

La  Plata 

2,085 

27,890 

183 

2,887 

5,161 

53,992 

2,334,877 

2,245,480 

Larimer 

12  089 

1 43  205 

269 

5 700 

48,748 

465  915 

4,211  449 

4,374,026 

Las  Animas. . . 

7^295 

85,205 

595 

15^110 

22,105 

284,217 

5,370, 505 

5 259,824 

Lincoln 

1,290 

9,700 

22 

130 

7,519 

56,235 

1,353,331 

1,260,572 

Logan 

3,627 

20,730 

59 

475 

17,062 

134,770 

1 ,499,209 

1,518,774 

Mesa 

4,188 

35,269 

120 

1,232 

16,050 

124,250 

2,304,523 

2,291,093 

Mineral 

587 

8,555 

4 

115 

1,202 

11,168 

305.128 

494,561 

Montrose 

2,871 

24,752 

76 

725 

10,089 

74,516 

1.255,479 

1,153,867 

Montezuma  . . 

1,686 

31,466 

41 

1,095 

4.171 

56,348 

729,374 

714,041 

Morgan 

2,394 

30,210 

83 

926 

12,374 

124,105 

1,073,369 

1,302,353 

Otero 

6,909 

57,445 

436 

5,050 

17,275 

171,485 

2,241.475 

2,475,676 

Ouray 

1.415 

16,248 

99 

1,249 

3,064 

93,659 

1.085,685 

1,162,265 

Park 

2,978 

26,420 

91 

1,615 

16,336 

231,370 

1,019,035 

1,544,153 

Phillips 

1,218 

10,997 

31 

440 

2.544 

24,150 

651,883 

659,561 

Pitkin 

1,693 

29,645 

83 

1,435 

3,371 

35,545 

2,573,940 

2,387,015 

Prowers 

2,367 

10,460 

174 

1,595 

12,810 

77.940 

1,351,023 

1,348,235 

Pueblo 

6,491 

105,179 

338 

8,622 

31,763 

351,398 

12,372,538 

13,655,150 

Rio  Blanco 

5,268 

59,214 

42 

645 

23,440 

307.300 

673,668 

771 ,044 

Rio  Grande  . . . 

3,258 

52,040 

103 

2,150 

5,903 

59,705 

1,598.545 

1,578,464 

Routt 

8,774 

79,604 

45 

695 

41,199 

521.302 

1,105,023 

1,240,578 

Saguache  

4,709 

47,407 

131 

2,303 

25,835 

210,820 

1,936,062 

1,990,977 

Wan  Juan 

274 

5,175 

63 

975 

137 

1,860 

1,381,653 

1,305,387 

San  Miguel 

1,659 

20,055 

188 

2,600 

5,525 

50,100 

1,314,042 

1,312,586 

Sedgwick 

862 

7,629 

24 

228 

2,507 

21,051 

689.423 

664,971 

Summit 

773 

13,930 

12 

180 

1,396 

17,044 

967,614 

953,372 

Washington . . . 

1,285 

13,457 

30 

470 

5,882 

80,807 

749.848 

741,778 

Weld 

13,997 

197,410 

595 

11,195 

28,092 

355.555 

7.489.540 

7,771,638 

Yuma 

2,294 

19,235 

80 

850 

8,304 

78,365 

881,229 

907,074 

Totals 

196,189 

82,306,694 

7,089 

$120,468 

667,686 

$6,827,152 

$199,234,940 

$192,243,080 

COLORADO 


11 


ASSESSED  VALUATION  OF  COLORADO  BY  COUNTIES. 

Continued. 


i 


Counties. 


Abstracts  of 
Assessments. 


Increase. 


Decrease. 


Arapahoe  . . 
Archuleta. . 

Baca 

Bent 

Boulder. 

Chaffee 

Cheyenne  . . 
Clear  Creek 

Conejos 

Costilla 

Custer 

Delta 

Dolores.  

Douglas.  — 

Eagle 

Elbert 

El  Paso 

Fremont 

Garfield. 

Gilpin 

Grand 

Gunnison  . . 

Hinsdale 

Huerfano  . . 

Jefferson 

Kiowa 

Kit  Carson  . . 

Lake 

La  Plata 

Larimer 

Las  Animas. 

Lincoln 

Logan  

Mesa 

Mineral 

Montrose  — 
Montezuma . 
Morgan  . — 

Otero 

Ouray 

Park 

Phillips 

Pitkin 

Prowers 

Pueblo 

Rio  Blanco. . 
Rio  Grande. 

Routt 

Saguache  . . . 
San  Juan  — 
San  Miguel. . 
Sedgwick  . . . 

Summit 

Washington. 

Weld 

Yuma 


$989,378 


103,521 


41,648 

67,639 

80,985 

1,467,010 

185,362 


105,270 


69,994 

31,726 


28,798 

35,511 

39,941 


162,577 


19,565 


189.432 


228,984 

54,201 

76,580 


7,678 


682,612 

97,376 


135  550 
66,015 


282,098 

25,845 


$9,972,443 

2,238 

1,972 

29,761 


14,022 

86.304 

33,146 

81,655 

17.856 

7,661 


75,939 


94,338 
' 7,678 
89,376 
12,299 


89,397 

610,881 

92,759 

13430 

101,611 

15,333 


74,882 


145.925 

2,788 


20,081 


16,266 

1,456 

24,452 

14,742 

8,070 


Totals 


$4,676,201 


$11,758,061 


Total  decrease $7,081,860 


No. 

Mili- 

tary 

Polls 

1898. 


199 
81 

515 

2,760 

362 

80 

258 

1,654 

779 

342 

479 

109, 

321 

496 

433 

4,736 

2,256 

204 

270 

94 

645 

220 

913 

1,122 

76 

204 

1,454 

891 

1,387 

1,618 

175 

344 

1,156 

531 

200 
334 
381 

1,426 

355 

475 

185 

1,570 

273 

3,819 

425 

569 

560 

723 

243 

825 

110 

389 

170 

1,797 

120 


42,123 


Acres  Agricultural 
Land. 

Mining 

Property 

and 

Gross 

Output 

1898. 

Coal 

Land 

Valua-. 

tion. 

1898. 

No.  of 

Yaluat’n. 

359,899 

16,078 

$4,006,175 

24,232 

$13,360 

84,460 

120,923 

13,581 

320 

172,308 

950,375 

97,665 

320 

S424,795 

138,330 

54,955 

431,725 

10,490 

2,529 

14.330 

254,997 

158,069 

7,681 

69,917 

2,745 

18,889 

11.697 

599,425 

58,225 

47.200 

17,640 

145,079 

420,304 

46.668 

346.078 

7,929 

76,385 

57,323 

601,003 

460.800 

410,000 

98,280 

220,273 

1,910,260 

45,000 

8,200 

300,000 

58,610 

417,587 

15,404 

30.094 

1,770 

29.128 

66,749 

2,500 

560 

23.153 

14,674 

152,019 

76,610 

113,553 

71,032 

2,020 

95,639 

1,585,368 

2,500 

1.085 

62,037 

116,884 

986,670 

274,144 

153.510 

160,605 

228,615 

76.830 

18,940 

1,492,799 

34,594 

27,100 

62,112 

556,339 

412,790 

62,594 

980 

120,083 

15.432 

40,611 

67,160 

11.065 

24,269 

293,406 

14,462 

126,519 

37,965 

57,470 

67,202 

27,264 

71,230 

554,310 

536,002 

5,300 

402.411 

76,806 

119.359 

416,690 

43.690 

109,201 

377,076 

64.580 

540,860 

394,725 

150,352 

350,225 

166.282 

320,535 

7,248 

246,749 

825 

499,246 

67,956 

13,445 

537,820 

64,420 

40,284 

32,370 

38,950 

690.461 

475,320 

3,551 

20,061 

1,4)5 

257,126 

341,723 

240,830 

8.875 

56.043 

7,097 

172,790 

2,421,785 

271,950 

421,922 

12,290 

4,519,815 

$19,398,800 

$8,602,217 

$1,515,648 

12 


COLORADO. 


Recapitulation. 


Abstracts  of  the  Assessment  for  the  Tear  1898. 

1898. 

No.  of  Valuation. 


Acres  of  agricultural  land 

Acres  of  grazing  land 

Acres  of  coal  land 

Improvements  on  lands 

Improvements  on  public  lands 

Town  and  city  lots  

Improvements  on  town  and  city  lots 

Mining  property  and  gross  output 

Miles  of  railroad  and  other  property  as  returned  by  the  State  Board 

of  Equalization 

Miles  of  telegraph  and  telephone  lines  as  returned  by  the  State 

Board  of  Equalization 

Average  value  of  merchandise 

Amount  of  capital  employed  in  manufactures 

Horses — 

Mules 

Asses 

Cattle 

Sheep  

Swine 

Goats 

All  other  animals 

Musical  instruments 

Clocks  and  watches 

Diamonds,  jewelry,  gold  and  silver  plate 

Amount  of  money  and  credits 

Carriages  and  vehicles  of  every  description  

Household  property 

All  other  property 

Bank  stock  or  shares  in  any  bank,  or  stock  or  shares  in  any  corpor- 
ation or  company 


4,519,815 

9,194,303 

120,644 


4,575 

4,256 


196,189 

7,089 

1,393 

667,686 

822,176 

35,373 

11,498 

2,506 

15,229 

14,214 


64,169 


$19,398,800 

9,780,417 

1,515,648 

7,032,347 

660.014 

44,970,443 

30,390,362 

8,502,217 

33,900,129 


663,713 

7,513,416 

1,325,002 

2,306,094 

120,468 

5,395 

6,827,152 

840,647 

75,693 

11,009 

10,311 

671,104 

159,706 

1:33,408 

4,224,320 

1,248,861 

921.263 

6,638,059 


2,396,262 


Grand  total  valuation  of  County 


$192,243,080 


Amounts  Charged  the  Counties  for  State  Taxes,  Fiscal  Year  1898. 


For  State  purposes  (general  revenue  and  interest  on  bonds)  — 2 8-30  mill  tax.  .$435,796  46 

Mute  and  blind  fund 1-5  mill  tax..  38,452  50 

University  fund 1-5  mill  tax..  38,452  50 

Agricultural  College  fund 1-5  mill  tax..  38,452  50 

School  of  Mines  fund 1-5  mill  tax..  38,452  50 

Insane  Asylum  fund  ...  1-5  mill  tax..  38,452  50 

Stock  Inspection  fund 1-15  mill  tax. . 12,817  52 

For  Capitol  Building  and  Interest  on  Bonds  fund 1-2  mill  tax..  93,259  24 

Normal  School  fund  1-6  mill  tax..  34,917  09 

Interest  on  insurrection  bonds,  authorized  by  decision  of 

Supreme  Court 1-10  mill  tax. . 20,064  64 

Military  Poll  fund,  $1.00  per  poll  on polls 42,123  00 


Total  tax  levied $831,240  45 


LIVE  STOCK  IN  COLORADO. 


Among  the  Rocky  Mountain  States  and  Territories,  Colorado  ranks  first 
in  cattle  population.  Montana  is  a close  second,  but  Colorado  has  a few 
thousands  more.  In  sheep  population  Colorado  only  ranks  seventh,  but  it 
has  been  from  choice  the  range-destroying  sheep  have  been  kept  out  of  the 
State.  For  some  years  Colorado  ranked  away  down  the  line  on  cattle  popu- 
lation. That  was  when  the  settlers  were  coming  in,  stretching  the  barbed 
wire  and  plowing  up  the  ground.  Today,  with  her  thousands  of  acres  of 
alfalfa  fields,  Colorado  is  able  to  take  care  of  more  cattle,  and  do  it  better 
and  at  less  loss  than  any  of  her  sister  States.  As  great  as  was  the  mineral 
production  of  the  State  for  the  past  year,  all  of  it  would  have  been  required 
to  purchase  the  live-stock  interests  of  the  State,  and  they  are  increasing  at 
a rate  that  is  most  satisfactory  and  promises  much  for  the  future.  The  fol- 
lowing figures  are  taken  from  the  government  reports  and  estimated  for 
1899: 


COLORADO. 


13 


Total  live  stock  in  Colorado  January  1,  1899,  with  comparisons: 


CATTLE. 


1899  

No.  Head. 
1,075,850 

Av.  Value. 
§24  20 

Total  Value. 
§26,035,671 

1S98  

935,826 

26  07 

24,392,775 

1897  

926,560 

17  17 

15,910,331 

1899  

MILK  COWS. 
96,440 

34  50 

3,327,180 

189S  

85,669 

32  50 

2,784,242 

1897  

79,975 

25  00 

1,999,375 

1899  

SHEEP. 

1,784,365 

2 53 

4,514,443 

1898  

1,623.089 

2 38 

3,869.445 

1897  

1,319,049 

1 71 

2, 251, SSI 

1899  

HOGS. 

29.600 

5 05 

149.4S0 

1898  

22,035 

5 10 

112,379 

1897  

23,419 

5 72 

133,957 

1899  

HORSES.  ■ 

25  50 

3,999,420 

1898  

151,721 

22  86 

3,469,095 

1897  

164,645 

21  98 

3,618,349 

1899  

MULES. 

8,590 

46  80 

412,012 

1898  

8,753 

43  14 

377,687 

1S97  

8,888 

45  56 

404,907 

1899  

• 

RECAPITULATION. 

3S,438,206 

1898  

2,827,093 

35,005,623 

1897  

2,522,536 

24,318,800 

FACTS  ABOUT  SHEEP  FEEDING. 

Feeding  lambs  and  sheep  for  the  market  has  become  one  of  the  leading 
industries  in  the  State.  It  was  only  a few  short  years  ago  that  it  was  acci- 
dentally discovered  that  New  Mexican  lambs  fed  on  Colorado  alfalfa  in  Col- 
orado and  finished  here  on  corn,  made  the  best  mutton  that  could  be  found. 
The  demand  for  Colorado-fed  lambs  became  so  strong  that  Eastern  markets 
offered  a premium  above  the  regular  market  price  to  secure  them,  and  even 
now  Colorado-fed  lambs  are  quoted  on  all  markets  at  an  advance  of  from 
twenty-five  to  fifty  cents  per  hundred  pounds  higher  than  the  best  offerings 
from  other  Western  States.  The  products  of  the  Colorado  feed  lots  are 
shipped  principally  to  Chicago,  and  many  are  sent  abroad  on  the  hoof,  and 
compare  favorably  in  the  London  market  with  the  best  English-fed  lambs. 
While  the  industry  is  still  comparatively  new  in  Colorado,  it  is  rapidly  being 
established  on  systematic  lines,  and  each  year  the  number  of  lambs  fed  is 
larger  than  the  preceding  year.  O wing  to  the  high  prices  demanded  on  the 
range  for  lambs  last  fall,  it  looked  for  a time  as  though  there  would  be  a 
decrease  this  year,  but  while  some  who  fed  last  year  kept  out  this  year, 
there  were  enough  new  men  in  the  field  with  the  old  feeders  to  bring  the 


14 


COLORADO. 


total  up  to  a handsome  increase.  The  following  figures,  compiled  from 
reports  of  the  railroads,  show  very  closely  the  number  of  lambs  and  sheep 
on  feed  in  the  State.  The  State  is  divided  into  two  districts,  the  Northern 
Colorado  and  the  Arkansas  Valley.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  Northern 
District  still  leads,  but  the  Arkansas  Valley  is  gaining  at  a remarkable  rate, 
showing  a larger  increase  than  the  Northern  District: 


County. 

Larimer 

Weld  

Morgan  .... 

Boulder  

Logan  

NORTHERN  DISTRICT. 

1898. 

. . 210,600 
. . 73,122 

. . 2,550 

5,584 
, . 10,088 

1897. 

193,200 

75,000 

9,100 

3,000 

10,839 

301,944 

291,139 

ARKANSAS  VALLEY. 

Otero  

Bent  

Prowers  

Scattering  

. 65,900 

. . 11.600 
. 10,265 

. 15,500 

51,350 

14,200 

15,000 

Grand  total  ...... 

Increase  

103,265 
. 405,209 
. . 33,520 

80,550 
371, 6S9 

IMPORTANT  RELATIONS  OF  THE  UNION  PACIFIC  RAILROAD 
TO  COLORADO. 

The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  in  Colorado  bears  an  important  relation  to 
the  State  in  all  her  material  interests.  A glance  at  the  map  of  the  State, 
where  the  railroad  lines  are  clearly  defined,  gives  a general  but  comprehen- 
sive idea  of  what  the  nature  of  such  relations  may  be.  It  is  seen  that  these 
lines  stretch  through  the  plains,  compassing  the  richest*  and  most  populous 
agricultural  sections;  penetrating  the  depths  and  climbing  the  heights  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  reaching  in  all  directions  to  the  most  populous 
gold  and  silver  mines  in  the  State;  beyond  these  reaching  toward  the  pros- 
pective fields  of  industry  and  population,  and  incidental  to  the  more  substan- 
tial purposes  of  its  progress,  establishing  some  of  the  finest  health  and 
pleasure  resorts  on  the  continent. 

In  these  relations  the  past,  present  and  future  of  the  Union  Pacific  Rail- 
road are  of  equal  importance.  Its  record  is  of  the  greatest  interest,  and 
shows,  peradventure,  that  its  presence  and  services  have  been  indispensable 
to  the  wonderful  progress  and  grand  achievements  of  the  State  as  a factor 
in  the  general  civilization  of  the  West.  The  Union  Pacific  was  the  first  rail- 
road to  lay  its  tracks  in  Colorado.  The  Denver  Pacific  branch  of  the  Union 
Pacific  reached  Denver  June  24,  1870,  connecting  Denver  with  the  main 
line  of  that  great  transcontinental  highway  at  Cheyenne.  This  connection 
was  established  with  the  East  and  the  West  and  all  the  world. 

Eastward  it  runs  two  lines,  viz.,  one  to  Omaha  via  Julesburg,  passing 
through  the  rich  agricultural  section  of  the  South  Platte  Valley,  and  through 
the  State  of  Kansas  to  Kansas  City,  through  the  great  cattle  ranges  and  the 
“rain-belt”  agricultural  section  of  Eastern  Colorado.  The  other  lines  of  the 
Union  Pacific  Railroad  in  Colorado  are  via  Brighton,  Evans  and  Greeley 
to  Cheyenne,  where  it  is  the  great  highway  of  commerce  and  travel  in  the 
most  important  agricultural  part  of  the  State,  and  the  Denver  & Boulder 
branch  reaches  the  great  coal  mines  of  Boulder  county. 


COLORADO. 


15 


The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  has  been  a great  factor  in  the  development 
and  progress  of  Colorado  in  all  its  industries.  It  has  not  followed  in  the 
wake,  but  has  been  the  leader,  of  population  and  enterprise  in  all  the  sec- 
tions of  the  country  where  it  has  reached.  Besides  affording  the  most  ample 
facilities  for  commerce  and  travel  between  Colorado  and  the  rest  of  the 
world,  its  mission  has  been  to  scatter  population,  locate  settlement,  promote 
the  mining  industry,  extend  the  cattle  trade  and  develop  the  rich  agricul- 
tural "sections  of  the  State.  In  these  things  its  record  in  a few  years  past 
has  been  that  of  one  of  the  grandest  achievements  in  railroad  operation. 
Wherever  it  has  reached  it  has  aided  in  building  towns  and  cities  and  open- 
ing up  new  sections  for  the  settlement  of  industrious  people.  To  these  people 
it  carries  articles  of  commerce  and  brings  away  the  products  of  their  toil  for 
the  markets  of  the  world. 

Its  lines  are  the  favorite  routes  for  tourist  travel,  and  in  all  seasons  of 
the  year  visitors  to  the  State  make  the  circuit  of  several  mountain  lines, 
while  in  the  summer  the  trains  are  daily  filled  with  parties  from  home  and 
abroad  on  pleasure  excursions  amid  the  unrivaled  grandeurs  of  Rocky 
Mountain  scenery. 

While  the  services  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  have  been  of  incalcu- 
lable value  to  the  present  day,  they  are  not  to  be  compared  to  the  great 
achievements  that  lie  in  its  future  in  the  work  of  developing  the  resources 
and  the  industries  of  the  State.  It  has  contributed  a great  share  toward 
making  the  country  great,  and  now  stands  ready  to  further  aid  the  people 
in  building  monumental  fortunes  on  the  foundations  they  have  laid. 


WATER-COURSES. 

Within  the  mountain  division  of  Colorado  there  is  an  abundance  of  water 
in  its  numerous  rivers,  creeks  and  springs,  which,  starting  in  little  rivulets 
from  the  snow  banks  at  lofty  altitudes,  or  percolating  through  the  rocks 
from  miniature  lakes  lying  between  the  peaks,  ripple  down  the  steep  inclines 
and  unite  their  forces  in  the  valleys  below,  to  course  their  way  in  rock- 
bedded  crystal  streams  to  the  seas. 

Thus  the  eight  principal  rivers — the  Arkansas,  the  South  Platte,  the  Rio 
Grande,  the  San  Juan,  the  Gunnison,  the  White,  the  Yampa  and  the  Grand 
— are  found,  together  with  their  innumerable  tributaries,  which  form  the 
greater  part  of  the  river  system  of  Colorado. 

None  of  the  rivers  of  Colorado  are  navigable.  They  are  important  in 
their  uses  for  irrigation,  for  water-power,  and  as  a general  source  of  water 
supply.  They  have  been  especially  useful  in  marking  out  the  lines  of  pioneer 
travel  and  leading  the  way  to  the  great  gold  and  silver  discoveries  of  the 
State,  and  especially  indispensable  in  recent  years  in  affording  routes  for 
the  railways  through  the  mountain  canons  to  the  mining  camps,  and  beyond 
these  to  the  new  fields  of  industry  in  the  State  and  to  the  markets  of  other 
States  and  Territories  on  the  Pacific  slope  All  the  principal  streams  have 
their  source  in  the  central  portion  of  the  State,  flowing  east,  west,  north  and 
south.  Their  tributaries  are  the  creeks  and  smaller  streams  that  rise  along 
the  mountain  sides  throughout  the  entire  system. 

The  South  Platte  has  its  numerous  sources  in  the  mountains  that  border 
South  Park,  and  flows  northward  and  eastward  through  the  plains  to  its 
confluence  with  the  North  Platte.  As  with  all  large  mountain  courses,  the 
aggregate  contributors  to  its  waters  comprise  hundreds  of  springs  and  small 
streams,  of  which  even  the  smallest  brooklet  that  meanders  unknown  and 
unseen  down  the  mountain  side  is  taken  into  account.  Its  principal  tribu- 
taries are  Clear  creek.  Bear  creek,  St.  Vrain  creek,  Big  Thompson  and  Little 
Thompson  creeks  and  the  Cache  a la  Poudre  river,  all  flowing  eastward  from 
the  mountains. 


10 


COLORADO. 


The  Arkansas  has  its  origin  in  the  mountains  that  surround  Leadville,  in 
Lake  county.  Flowing  eastward  toward  the  plains,  its  main  tributaries  are 
the  numerous  mountain  streams  and  the  Huerfano  and  Las  Animas  rivers 
on  the  plains.  It  passes  through  the  range  in  Fremont  county,  forming  the 
canon  of  the  Arkansas,  and  waters'  the  greater  part  of  that  splendid  agricul- 
tural region,  comprising  many  millions  of  acres  in  Pueblo  and  Bent  counties. 

The  Rio  San  Juan  has  its  source  in  the  San  Juan  Mountains,  and  flows 
south  into  New  Mexico  and  westward  through  Utah,  having  many  impor- 
tant affluents,  which  serve  the  miner,  the  cattlemen  and  the  farmer. 

The  Gunnison  river  rises  in  the  Saguache  and  Uncompaghre  Mountains, 
and  pursues  a northwest  course  through  a continuous  series  of  valleys  and 
mountain  chasms  to  is  confluence  with  the  Grand  near  the  western  boun- 
dary. It  has  numerous  tributaries,  consisting  of  small  creeks  from  the 
mountains,  the  principal  streams  being  Tounchi  creek,  the  Cimmaron,  the 
North  Fork  of  the  Gunnison  and  the  Uncompaghre. 

The  White  river  rises  in  the  eastern  end  of  Garfield  county,  flowing 
westward  into  Utah.  Its  principal  tributaries  are  Douglas  creek  and  Pi- 
Ceance  creek.  The  valleys  of  this  river  and  its  tributaries,  until  within  five 
years  ago,  constituted  the  choice  hunting  grounds  and  stock  range  of  the 
White  River  Utes,  whose  returning  to  their  old  home  upon  a hunting  expe- 
dition in  1887  was  the  cause  of  a collision  between  them  and  the  State  troops, 
the  fracas  being  dignified  by  the  term  of  an  “Indian  war.” 

The  Yampa  river  has  myriad  sources  in  Routt  county,  and  flows  west- 
ward into  Utah.  Its  main  tributaries  are  Little  Snake  river,  Fortification 
creek,  Elk  creek  and  Elk  Head  creek.  The  country  through  which  these 
waters  flow  is  a favorite  hunting  and  fishing  ground. 

The  Grand  river  has  its  origin  fx-om  all  the  mountains  which  form  a 
wall  around  Gi'and  county.  Flowing  westward,  it  is  joined  by  Eagle  river, 
the  Blue,  the  Roaring  Forks,  at  Glenwood  Springs,  Elk  creek.  Roan  creek, 
and  numerous  smaller  streams,  till  its  career  is  ended  in  its  confluence  with 
Gunnison  river  in  the  agricultural  section  of  Mesa  county. 

The  South  Platte,  the  Arkansas,  the  Gunnison  and  the  Grand  are  what 
may  be  termed  agricultural  streams.  But  there  are  other  streams  without 
name  and  without  number  that  are  useful  in  this  capacity.  There  are 
streams  of  importance  belonging  to  every  section  of  the  mountain  division, 
which,  like  useful  men  in  the  undercurrent  of  life,  are  unknown  to  fame. 
Beginning  in  the  extreme  southwestern  corner  of  the  State,  to  name  a few 
of  these,  the  Mancos  eixxpties  into  the  Rio  Sin  Juan  at  the  point  named. 
One  might  stand  on  the  western  bank  of  the  stream  at  this  point,  and  with 
one  hand  touch  Arizona,  LTtah,  New  Mexico  and  Colorado.  From  this  point 
eastward  on  the  south  the  Rio  La  Plata,  the  Rio  Las  Animas  and  the  Rio 
Piedra  are  tributaries  to  the  Rio  San  Juan.  The  Alamosa  river.  La  Java 
creek,  Rio  Conejos  and  Rio  Culabra  are  tributaries  of  Rio  Grande  Del  Norte. 
The  San  Miguel  and  Dolores  rivers  flow  westward  into  Utah  from  the  San 
Juan  country.  The  single  stream  of  importance  flowing  northward  is  the 
North  Platte,  which,  rising  in  the  Northern  Mountains,  if  of  little  impor- 
tance as  a river  of  Colorado.  In  every  section  of  the  mountain  division  are 
to  be  found  innumerable  springs,  many  of  them  mineral  of  fine  medicinal 
value,  which  are  named  in  the  department  of  “Health  and  Pleasure 
Resorts.” 

THE  SOILS  OF  COLORADO. 

Whether  you  journey  across  the  plains,  or  make  a toilsome  trip  through 
the  valleys  and  mesas  of  the  mountain  division  of  Colorado,  the  eye  rests 
continually  upon  a dry,  sterile-looking  surface.  But  the  appearance  is 
deceiving,  almost  without  exception.  The  surface  is  but  a thin  deposit  of 
sand.  Just  underneath,  at  the  grass  roots,  is  a deep,  rich  soil,  productive  of 


COLORADO. 


17 


every  variety  of  vegetation  known  to  the  temperate  zone,  the  only  notable 
exceptions  being  found  at  high  altitude  s,  where  the  soil  is  rich,  buc  where 
only  the  small  fruits  and  the  grasses  are  successfully  grown. 

In  the  valleys  and  on  the  plains  near  the  water-courses,  the  soil  is  often 
found  to  be  two  feet  in  depth.  There  is  one  general  proposition,  the  truth 
of  which  has  been  verified  by  experiments  upon  all  kinds  of  land  in  Colo- 
rado: That  wherever  the  land  can  be  reached  by  water  the  soil  is  abundantly 
productive.  The  soil  varies  slightly,  according  to  the  section  of  the  State, 
with  but  little  difference  in  the  average  yield,  and  scarcely  any  difference  in 
the  variety  of  products,  except  as  to  fruits. 

One  of  the  earliest  and  oldest  of  Colorado’s  settlers,  a scientific  gentle- 
man who  was  for  years  the  State  Geologist  of  Colorado,  in  expressing  an 
opinion  of  the  soils  in  general  terms,  uses  this  language:  “I  regard  the  soils 

on  the  eastern  side  of  the  mountains  as  the  most  judicious  mixture  possible 
of  silica,  aluminum  and  calcium,  lacking  only  an  adequate  supply  of  phos- 
phates. The  latter  can  be  acquired  by  fertilizing  when  needed.  The  soil 
is  the  very  best  for  wheat  and  other  cereals,  especially  on  account  of  its 
favorable  proportions  of  silica  and  calcium.  But  on  account  of  its  siliceous 
nature,  and  probably  also  on  account  of  climatic  influences,  the  plains  land 
is  not  so  good  for  corn.” 

It  is  a fact  for  which  Colorado  has  become  famous  that  in  all  arable  lands 
the  soil  is  wonderfully  productive  of  potatoes  and  all  other  vegetables. 
Familiarly,  the  general  character  of  the  soil  is  known  as  adobe,  clay  loam 
and  sandy  loam.  On  the  western  slope  these  soils  prevail,  differing  in  their 
proportions  according  to  location.  Gray  ash  and  red  soil  in  the  valleys  are 
mentioned  as  an  addition,  the  gray  being  adapted  to  vegetables  and  the  red 
to  fruits.  To  the  latter,  in  part,  and  in  part  to  the  milder  climate,  is 
ascribed  the  virtue  of  growing  peaches  and  other  stone  fruits,  which  are  not 
successfully  cultivated  on  the  eastern  side.  Corn  is  also  cultivable  on  the 
western  slopes,  and  will  become  one  of  the  staple  crops. 

“WASTE  LANDS.” 

The  most  authentic  map  of  Colorado  is  a recent  issue  by  the  Denver 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  which  gives  the  proportions  of  agriculture,  grazing, 
mineral,  coal  and  waste  lands  in  each  county  of  the  State.  In  each  of  the 
counties  west  of  the  range  it  indicates  considerable  areas  (some  of  them 
covering  as  much  as  a third  of  a county)  of  what  is  classed  as  “waste  lands.” 
The  lands  appear  in  spots  and  strips  along  the  mountains,  in  the  hills,  upon 
high  mesas,  or  in  low,  sandy  bottoms,  some  of  them  also  appearing  in  level 
places  remote  from  water,  and  though  of  good  soil,  are  regarded  as  waste 
land  because  at  present  not  available.  It  is  noted  that  on  the  eastern  side 
of  the  mountains  comprising  the  great  -agricultural  body  of  the  plains  none 
of  these  waste  lands  appear,  while  the  entire  surface  is  indicated  as  agricul- 
tural and  grazing  lands. 

COAL  LANDS. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  map  also  gives  the  outlines  of  all  the  coal 
measures  in  the  State — or  at  least  where  coal  is  known  to  exist  and  where 
indications  of  deposits  have  been  found.  It  shows  that  the  coal  strata 
underlie  about  one-half  of  all  the  plain  lands,  embracing  nearly  all  of  Weld 
county,  one-fourth  of  Washington,  more  than  three-fourths  of  Arapahoe, 
two-thirds  of  Elbert,  one-sixth  of  Bent,  a third  of  El  Paso,  two-thirds  of  Las 
Animas,  and  one-fourth  of  Huerfano.  On  the  western  side  of  the  range  it 
shows  large  coal  areas,  distributed  between  Garfield,  Routt,  Larimer,  Grand, 
Gunnison,  Montrose,  Ouray,  Archuleta  and  La  Plata  counties,  and  in  Park 
and  Fremont  counties  in  the  mountains  on  the  eastern  side. 


18 


COLORADO. 


IRRIGATION. 

The  people  of  the  Far  West  are  so  far  familiar  with  the  subject  of  irri- 
gation, and  so  well  understand  the  value  of  its  uses,  that  it  is  unnecessary  to 
offer  them  any  information  concerning  it;  but  when  people  abroad  learn  that 
there  are  great  States  and  Territories  in  America  containing  a population  of 
many  hundreds  of  thousands  of  people  who  are  almost  wholly. dependent  for 
the  products  of  the  soil  upon  a water  supply  as  it  must  come  down  to  them 
by  ditches  from  the  mountains,  there  is  quite  ail  eager  curiosity  to  know 
what  irrigation  is  and  how  it  is  done.  A few  years  ago  so  many  wonderful 
stories  were  related  about  Colorado,  especially  through  the  medium  of  news- 
paper correspondents,  that  the  State  won  an  unenviable  reputation.  Among 
the  standard  yarns  so  often  repeated  in  the  East  was  the  declaration  of 
many  that  they  had  seen  water  running  up  hill  in  Colorado.  There  are  repu- 
table people  there  who  will  still  swear  this  is  true.  One  can  scarcely  doubt 
his  senses  when  he  walks  along  in  the  valley  beside  the  stream  and  sees  it 
gradually  rise  from  the  base  and  go  rippling  and  winding  along  up  the  side 
of  the  mesa  till  it  reaches  the  level  plain  far  above.  Such  is  one  of  the  para- 
doxes in  the  topography  of  the  country,  and  as  such  is  simply  one  of  the 
skillful  feats  of  civil  engineering  in  the  irrigation  system  of  Colorado.  As 
this  pamphlet  will  fall  into  the  hands  of  people  in  all  parts  of  the  country 
who  may  be  curious  to  know  what  irrigation  is,  a more  concise  description 
of  the  methods  applied  could  not  be  given  than  the  following,  from  the  pen 
of  Orange  Judd,  in  the  Prairie  Farmer: 

“Irrigation  in  the  present  use  of  the  term  means  the  artificial  application 
of  water  to  the  soil  by  several  methods.  There  is  the  ‘main  canal’  or  ditch, 
which  brings  water  taken  from  streams  that  may  be  a mile  or  two  or  scores 
of  miles  away.  A ‘lateral’  comes  out  of  one  side,  and  extends  several  rods  or 
even  miles  to  the  upper  side  of  a field,  into  a plow  furrow  nearly  on  a level, 
and  the  water  in  this  case  spreads  out  each  way.  From  this  head  furrow 
very  small  ones  are  made  with  a hoe,  or  quicker  with  a small  single-horse 
plow.  They  are  run  in  such  direction  required  by  the-  lay  of  the  land  as  will 
give  them  only  a slight  descent.  A hoeful  or  shovelful  of  earth  into  the 
plow  furrow  at  each  entrance  of  these  little  ditches  keeps  them  closed. 
When  the  land  needs  water,  the  little  ‘gate,’  or  sliding  board  at  the  canal,  is 
raised  as  far  as  needed  to  let  in  the  required  amount  of  water.  This  is 
raised  or  lowered  from  time  to  time,  as  seen  to  be  necessary.  The  large 
plow  furrow  being  filled  with  water,  the  irrigator  opens  or  closes  the  upper 
ends  of  the  small  furrows  by  taking  out  a shovelful  or  hoeful  of  earth.  The 
operator  walks  over  the  field,  and  where  water  enough  is  not  flowing  out  iu 
any  place,  he,  with  a shovel  or  hoe,  clips  off  a bit  of  earth  from  the  side  of 
the  small  ditch  or  furrow;  or  he  can  stop  the  flow  at  any  point  by  throwing 
in  a trifle  of  soil.  In  this  way  he  can,  in  an  hour  or  two,  give  an  entire  field 
what  would  be  equal  to  a heavy,  soaking  rain,  and  this  may  be  done  so  deep 
down — one  or  even  two  feet — that  the  growing  crop  may  flourish  through  the 
hottest  season  or  drouth  without  another  irrigation. 

“Where  water  goes  deep  down,  it  is  only  very  slowly  evaporated  from 
the  surface,  while  the  roots  of  the  crop  grow  downward  so  far  as  to  find  a 
good  deal  of  natural  moisture  in  the  soil.  Usually  only  two,  or  at  most  three, 
such  irrigations  are  needed  on  a wheat  crop,  grown  on  a soil  which  is  liter- 
ally a dry  ash  heap.  The  number  of  irrigations  and  the  amount  of  water  at 
each  flowing  depend  a good  deal  on  the  character  of  the  subsoil.  Some  land 
requires  only  a single  flowing,  along  in  May  or  June.  Sometimes  a flooding 
about  the  heading-out  time  will  produce  very  heavy  grain  kernels.  Some- 
times the  ground  is  well  flooded  before  the  seed  is  sown,  and  once  or  twice 
afterward,  unless  there -is  an  unusual  falhof  rain.  Most  farmers  using  irri- 
gation rather  prefer  no  rain.  Having  a supply  of  water  in  the  canal  to  use 
whenever  needed,  they  prefer  continual,  hot  sunshine,  which  pushes  growth 
forward  most  rapidly. 


COLORADO. 


19 


“In  most  of  the  irrigable  arid  regions  these  canals  are  taken  out  high  up 
a river  or  stream  which  is  fed  by  the  melting  of  snow  on  the  mountain  tops 
in  May,  June  and  July,  just  the  time  when  plenty  of  water  in  the  canal  is 
much  needed.  The  canals  are  carried  along  with  a descent  of  one  and  one- 
half  to  two  feet  per  mile,  winding  around  hills  or  uneven  ground  to  maintaiu 
a uniform  grade.  If  the  ground  and  the  stream  descend  rapidly  the  canal 
may  thus  be  carried  scores  of  miles,  and  at  its  end  be  twenty,  fifty,  100  or 
more  feet  above  the  parent  stream.  The  side  canals  are  taken  out  at  dif- 
ferent places,  and  similarly  carried  over  or  around  uneven  land,  so  that  a 
single  main  canal  may  irrigate  tens  or  hundreds  of  thousands  of  acres;  for 
example,  a canal  from  a stream  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  by  following  the 
sides  of  knolls,  valleys  and  hills,  may  take  water  hundreds  of  miles  to  supply 
the  parched  farms  in  Eastern  Colorado.” 

FROM  COLORADO’S  PRODUCTIVE  VALLEYS. 

No  single  industry  in  Colorado  is  more  firmly  established  or  destined  to  a 
larger  development  than  agriculture  in  all  its  branches. 

Rich  soil,  abundance  of  product  and  speedy  returns  from  markets  close 
at  hand  are  the  strongest  attractions  to  the  farmer  seeking  a new  location. 
•Colorado  offers  unrivalled  advantages  in  all  these  requisites. 

Until  recent  years  very  little  was  known  beyond  the  eastern  border  of 
the  State  concerning  its  immense  agricultural  possibilities.  But  it  has  come 
to  pass  that  the  riches  of  the  soil  are  no  less  an  attraction  to  the  immigrant 
than  the  alluring  treasures  of  gold  in  the  mountains  of  Colorado.  Large 
additions  have  been  made  to  the  population  in  all  the  agricultural  divisions 
-of  the  State  during  the  past  year.  Many  thousands  of  acres  of  new  land 
have  been  cultivated  for  the  first  time,  and  there  has  been  a marked  in- 
crease of  production  over  all  former  years,  notwithstanding  a less  favorable 
season  and  a decreased  average  of  crop. 

SOIL  RICHER  THAN  GOLD  LEDGES. 

To  those  abroad  who  have  not  learned  that  the  business  of  farming  is  an 
important  factor  among  the  wealth-producing  industries  of  this  region,  it 
will  hardly  be  credible  that  for  twelve  years  past  the  value  of  the  product 
of  Colorado  farms  has  exceeded  that  of  the  output  of  the  mines,  but  care- 
fully-collected statistics  demonstrate  the  supremacy  of  the  farming  interests. 

However  great  the  achievements  or  the  progress  that  has  been  made, 
that  which  now  becomes  of  more  importance  is  the  future  of  the  industry 
and  the  conditions  that  assure  its  greater  possibilities. 

In  the  first  place,  it  should  be  understood  that  while  there  is  considerable 
farming  in  scattered  areas  for  crops  of  a restricted  variety,  though  profit- 
able, without  artificial  irrigation,  the  strictly  agricultural  areas  lie  within 
the  irrigation  system,  and  without  irrgation  agriculture  in  the  true  sense 
-does  not  exist  in  Colorado. 

For  this  reason  the  State  is  divided  into  six  large  irrigation  divisions, 
arranged  according  to  the  natural  drainage  of  the  principal  streams. 

On  the  eastern  side  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  spreading  out  upon  the 
plains,  are  the  Valley  of  the  Platte,  with  its  numerous  tributaries,  the 
oldest  and  consequently  the  best  developed  and  cultivated  portion  of  the 
State,  and  the  splendid  Valley  of  the  Arkansas,  a land  of  fruit  and  grain,  of 
wonderful  productiveness  and  inviting  beauty. 

The  San  Luis  Valley  in  the  south,  comprising  the  water-shed  of  the 
famous  Rio  Grande,  unsurpassed  as  a grain-growing  region.  The  Monte- 
zuma and  other  valleys  of  the  Animas  and  Dolores  rivers  in  the  southwest, 
new,  undeveloped  and  superb  in  productiveness. 


20 


COLORADO. 


The  valleys  of  the  Grand,  the  Gunnison  and  the  Uncompahgre  rivers 
form  the  great  fruit  and  agricultural  division  of  Western  Colorado,  espe- 
cially noted  for  the  excellence  of  its  horticulture. 


TWO  GREAT  FRUIT  DISTRICTS. 

Thus  in  the  west  and  upon  the  eastern  front,  in  the  Arkansas  Valley,  in> 
connection  with  vast  areas  of  general  agriculture,  Colorado  has  two  great 
divisions  of  horticulture  that  are  fast  becoming  the  rivals  of  the  orchards, 
and  vineyards  of  California,  producing  varieties  of  fruits  that  challenge  the 
world  for  excellence  and  beauty.  Fruit  is  also  grown  in  the  Platte  Valley, 
in  Southwestern  Colorado,  in  the  valley  of  the  Yampa  in  the  north,  and,  in 
fact,  more  or  less  in  all  parts  of  the  State.  In  all  these  divisions  sheep  and 
cattle  raising  becomes  a part  of  the  business  of  the  farmer,  while  the  larger 
herds  of  the  cattlemen  thrive  upon  the  vast  ranges  outlying  and  skirting 
these  fertile  valleys. 

Within  these  six  divisions,  embracing  an  arable  territory  larger  than  the- 
State  of  Illinois,  4,500,001)  acres  of  land  are  under  the  irrigation  system  and 
over  2,000,000  acres  are  cultivated.  It  might  be  enough  to  add  that  these 
cultivated  acres  yield  an  average  of  $15  per  acre  for  all  products  combined, 
and  that  every  cereal  and  grass  root  and  every  variety  of  fruit  from  tree  or 
vine,  native  to  the  femperate  zone,  are  grown  to  perfection  and  in  abundance 
in  this  State.  But  a great  deal  more  can  be  said.  It  is  well  known  to  expe- 
rienced Western  farmers  that  by  adopting  the  most  scientific  methods  of 
farming  under  the  irrigation  system,  this  average  could  be  doubled  for  nearly 
every  department  of  agriculture.  The  official  average  of  Colorado  wheat, 
as  stated  from  Washington,  is  twenty-three  bushels  per  acre.  For  the 
larger  part  of  the  crop  the  average  is  twenty-seven  bushels  per  acre,  which 
is  the  highest  average  in  the  United  States.  By  reason  of  the  natural  fertil- 
izing elements  of  the  water,  by  the  rotation  of  crops  alternating  with  alfalfa, 
and  by  the  tendency  to  smaller,  closer  farming  and  more  diligent  attention 
to  its  fertilization  by  various  means,  there  has  been  an  increase  of  fertility 
rather  than  exhaustion,  and  during  the  past  three  years  there  has  been  an 
increase  of  averages,  which  are  stated  as  follows:  Wheat,  twenty-seven 

bushels  per  acre;  oats,  forty;  barley,  forty-two;  potatoes,  thirty-two;  alfalfa, 
four  tons;  fruit,  $75  per  acre,  including  young  trees;  full-bearing  orchards, 
$125  per  acre.  These  averages,  it  is  estimated,  are  fully  maintained  by  the- 
enormous  general  yield  in  large  areas  of  the  several  divisions. 


SAMPLES  OF  BIG  CROPS. 

In  the  Platte  Valley,  particularly  in  Weld  county;  in  the  Arkansas  Valley, 
especially  in  Otero  and  Prowers  counties,  wheat  ranges  from  twenty-five  to 
fifty  bushels  per  acre.  Certain  orchards  under  especial  cultivation  have 
yielded  $300  to  $500  per  acre  in  varieties  of  fruit.  Returns  of  sixty  to  sev- 
enty-five bushels  of  oats  and  barley  are  not  infrequent.  Potatoes  yield 
from  100  to  400  bushels  per  acre,  and  200  bushels  for  an  entire  field  in 
Northern  Colorado  is  not  unusual.  Alfalfa,  the  crop  of  greatest  money 
value  in  the  State,  yields  three  to  six  tons  per  acre,  selling  at  $2  to  $3  per 
ton  in  the  field.  The  crop  of  1898  is  valued  at  $10,000,000,  and  that  of  other- 
grasses  at  $2,000,000. 

All  kinds  of  vegetables  of  delicious  Haver  and  splendid  form  yield  aston- 
ishing results.  They  grow  upon  all  the  cultivatable  land.  The  same 
is  true  of  all  the  small  fruits,  and  many  people  in  the  towns 
and  cities  raise  strawberries  and  vegetables  at  their  doors,  while 
the  country  surrounding  the  larger  cities  becomes  a continuous  encircling 
garden  spot,  furnishing  all  the  luxuries  and  necessities  of  the  seasons.  So 


COLORADO. 


21 


great  are  the  possibilities  of  vegetable  production  that  half  a dozen  or  more 
factories  have  been  established  in  the  State  out  of  the  profits  of  careful  gar- 
dening. The  value  of  vegetable  products  packed  in  Colorado  canning  fac- 
tories, chiefly  tomatoes  and  peas,  exceeds  a million  dollars.  This  branch  of 
industry  is  extending,  and  already  a large  part  of  the  fruit  crop  is  preserved. 
There  is  a department  of  a large  manufactory  in  Denver  especially  devoted 
to  canning  beans,  the  product  of  home  culture.  There  is  room  and  reason 
for  a dozen  more  of  such  establishments. 


POSSIBILITIES  OF  DAIRYING. 

One  of  the  greatest  institutions  of  Colorado  agriculture,  which  has  still 
greater  possibilities,  is  the  dairy  farm.  About  $3,000,000  worth  of  butter  is 
made  annually,  and  yet  this  represents  only  about  one-fifth  of  the  amount 
consumed  in  the  State  in  the  same  time.  Corn  is  one  of  the  profitable  crops, 
and  promises  a future  of  great  wealth  in  fattening  hrgs,  sheep  and  cattle  for 
the  market.  The  fat-stock  industry  has  made  a wonderful  growth  in  the 
last  few  years,  but  is  considered  only  in  its  infancy,  as  there  is  apparently 
no  limit  to  the  market  demand  for  Colorado  mutton  and  beef,  while  the 
margin  of  profit  is  large. 


COLORADO'S  WORLD-BEATING  CROP. 

Again,  concerning  the  possibilities  of  production  from  the  soils  of  Colo- 
rado: In  1893  the  farmers  of  Colorado  were  called  upon,  as  were  the  farm- 
ers of  all  agricultural  States,  to  raise  specimen  crops  of  all  varieties  in  their 
kind  for  the  World's  Fair  at  Chicago.  These  sample  crops  were  raised  on 
the  ordinary  farms  of  the  several  divisions  of  the  State.  The  experiments 
developed  277  varieties  of  wheat,  fifty  of  oats  and  125  in  native  grasses. 
The  results  in  yield  were  amazing.  Oats  seven  and  one-half  feet  high,  yield- 
ing 112%  bushels  to  the  acre,  and  weighing  forty -eight  pounds  per  bushel. 
The  largest  yield  of  oats  was  136  bushels  per  acre,  and  the  heaviest  oats 
weighed  fifty-two  pounds  to  the  bushel.  The  most  surprising  display  was 
that  of  wheat.  Specimens  taken  from  a 40-acre  field  yielded  ninety-four 
"bushels  per  acre.  The  largest  average  yield  wes  from  a farm  of  S00  acres, 
fifty-two  bushels  to  the  acre,  weighing  sixty-two  pounds  per  bushel.  Out 
of  371  exhibits  made  by  Colorado,  eighty-one  special  premiums  were 
awarded,  covering  wheat,  oats,  rye,  barley,  potatoes,  flaxseed,  plants, 
flowers,  grasses,  wool,  woods  and  soil.  The  wheat  exhibit  attracted  especial 
attention  and  admiration,  and  twenty-five  awards  were  given  to  it  alone, 
the  largest  number  received  by  any  one  State  or  country. 


RICH,  DEEP,  MELLOW  SOIL. 

In  its  general  nature  the  soil  of  Colorado  is  a sandy  loam.  This  is  varied 
In  some  parts  by  clay,  adobe  and  other  constituents.  It  is  everywhere  rich, 
and  in  the  valleys  it  reaches  an  incredible  depth.  Its  constituent  of  clay  has 
a remarkable  porosity  and  retentiveness  for  water,  for  ammonia  and  most 
■soluble  salts.  The  sediment  of  slime  and  mud  from  the  overflow  which  made 
the  soil  of  these  valleys  so  rich  and  so  deep  is  nothing  less  than  the  silt  of 
■decomposed  rock  and  mineral,  mixed  with  organic  matter,  which  is  itself  a 
mass  of  decayed  vegetation,  serving  the  purposes  of  a fertilizer  and  a soil- 
builder.  Hence  it  may  be  relied  upon  that  it  is  responsive  in  an  extrava- 
gant degree  wherever  water  can  be  applied. 

The  spread  of  scientific  knowledge  concerning  these  soils,  the  fame  of  its 
rich  productiveness  and  an  enlightened  understanding  concerning  the  su- 
perior advantages  of  irrigation  are  the  elements  of  the  leaven  that  is  work- 


22 


COLORADO. 


ing  among  the  people  abroad  and  attracting  them  to  these  new  fields  of 
promise.  In  all  these  divisions  of  agriculture  there  is  a renewed  effort  and 
energy  in  production  and  an  activity  in  the  work  of  preparation  of  increased 
acreage  for  the  new  people  that  are  coming  in  and  occupying  the  land  such 
as  has  never  before  been  witnessed  in  Colorado.  To  the  people  east  of  the 
Mississippi  this  quick  transformation  of  the  sandy  desert  is  amazing  and 
beyond  belief.  To  the  people  of  Colorado  it  has  now  become  a matter  of 
passive  recognition  of  a prophecy  uttered  more  than  fifty  years  ago  by  an 
eminent  explorer  in  what  was  then  the  wilderness  of  America,  “that  he 
would  live  to  see  all  this  wild  waste  of  country  come  under  the  dominion  of 
civilized  Americans;  that  the  plains  would  be  cultivated  and  bring  forth 
fruits  and  grain;  that  the  mountains  would  yield  great  treasures  of  silver 
and  gold,  and  that  the  very  ground  upon  which  he  stood  would  become  the 
site  of  a great  city,  the  center  of  commerce  and  the  metropolis  of  the  West.” 
Such  are  the  changes  of  mountain  and  plain  and  such  is  the  magnificent  city 
of  Denver. 

The  work  of  the  past  year  and  its  results  m the  several  great  divisions 
show  the  nature  and  extent  of  progress  being  made.  The  gigantic  propor- 
tions of  new  enterprises  of  irrigation,  as  shown  in  an  article  under  that 
department,  bespeaks  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of  the  promoters  in  thus 
meeting  the  growing  necessities  of  changing  conditions. 

SAN  LUIS  VALLEY. 

The  year  1898  adds  another  one  of  progress  and  prosperity  to  the  mount- 
ain empire  of  San  Luis  Valley.  In  no  period  of  its  history  has  greater 
advancement  in  settlement  and  in  general  substantial  improvement  taken 
place.  Immigration  has  increased,  and  the  usual  bountiful  crops  have  been 
raised. in  this  garden  spot  and  granary  of  the  State.  This  valley  comprises 
an  area  about  equal  to  that  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  and  is  capable  of 
supporting  several  hundred  thousand  people.  Lying  between  the  east  range 
of  mountains  and  the  continental  divide,  its  sheltered  position  gives  it  a 
mild,  pleasant,  equable  climate.  The  surface  of  the  valley  having  a gentle- 
slope,  irrigation  is  especially  easy  and  inexpensive,  and  there  is  one  section 
of  the  valley  (known  as  the  “grain  belt,”  from  the  wonderful  crops  of  grain 
produced),  which  is  unique  in  irrigation  experience.  This  is  the  famous  sub- 
irrigating belt,  lying  adjacent  to  and  north  of  Monte  Vista,  and  comprising 
six  or  seven  townships  of  land.  Like  the  wick  of  a lamp,  the  soil  in  this 
district  draws  up  its  needed  supply  of  water  from  the  ditches  without  care 
or  labor  on  the  part  of  the  farmer.  The  subsoil  becomes  quickly  saturated, 
and  moisture  rises  by  capillary  attraction,  and  feeds  the  growing  crops. 
The  crops  grown  on  these  lands  are  certainly  wonderful.  After  the  land  is 
once  wet  up,  one  man  will  easily  irrigate  500  to  S00  acres  of  this  land  during: 
the  wdiole  season.  The  crops  grown  are  wheat,  oats,  barley,  peas,  potatoes, 
alfalfa  and  native  hay,  and  all  the  root  crops.  The  wheat  crop  of  1898 
is  variously  estimated  at  1,250,000  to  1,500,000  bushels.  The  largest  part 
of  the  v'heat  produced  is  milled  in  the  valley  by  four  mills  having  a combined 
capacity  of  about  1100  barrels  a day.  San  Luis  Valley  flour  has  an  excel- 
lent reputation  for  its  quality,  and  the  Colorado  Milling  & Elevator  Co. 
ships  large  quantities  as  far  east  and  south  as  Memphis,  Tenn.  San  Luis 
Valley  wheat  is  also  shipped  for  milling  to  the  mills  at  Canon  City,  Grand 
Junction,  Montrose,  Durango,  La  Vela  and  Littleton,  and  considerable  is 
exported  to  Galveston. 

Native  hay  is  an  important  product,  and  commands  the  highest  price  in 
the  markets.  It  is  estimated  that  at  least  12.000  to  15,000  tons  were  shipped 
during  1898.  Great  quantities  of  oats,  barley  and  potatoes  are  also  shipped. 
Here  are  great  areas  of  the  finest  kind  of  potato  ground.  In  quality  the 
valley  potatoes  are  unsurpassed,  and  the  quantity  produced  is  capable  of 
indefinite  expansion. 


COLORADO. 


Statistics  of  the  fruit  production  for  the  year  are  given  in  the  annual 
horticultural  report.  The  water  commissioner  for  that  division  reports  the 
number  of  acres  that  can  he  irrigated  at  225,884;  cultivated  in  alfalfa, 
57,954;  seeded  grasses,  9571;  natural  grasses,  5313;  other  crops  other  than 
fruit,  37.548.  The  people  of  the  valley  are  self-sustaining,  as  they  have 
been  for  years,  from  stock-raising  and  cultivation  of  their  fields  by  limited 
irrigation.  This  year  will  witness  the  beginning  of  an  extended  system  of 
irrigation.  There  are  100,000  acres  that  can  be  brought  under  cultivation 
and  soon  that  section  will  be  adding  its  millions  of  dollars  of  farm  products 
to  the  present  grand  total.  These  products  will  be  fruit  and  hay  and  grain 
and  vegetables  of  all  varieties.  As  it  is  now,  48,000  acres  are  cultivated,  the 
larger  part  in  alfalfa  and  other  grasses. 

One  of  the  most  profitable  branches  of  industry  dependent  upon  agricul- 
ture in  Colorado  is  that  of  feeding  sheep  and  cattle  for  the  market.  For  the 
most  part  the  cattle  thus  fed  represents  the  number  of  beeves  slaughtered 
in  Colorado,  while  the  lambs  go  to  the  Eastern  markets,  principally  Chicago, 
where  they  command  the  highest  prices.  The  profit  in  feeding  per  head  is 
estimated  at  eighty  cents,  though  it  often  reaches  one  dollar.  To  November 
15  the  lambs  thus  feeding  were  reported  at  305,137,  distributed  as  follows: 
Larimer  county  165,109,  Weld  55.122,  Otero  50,960,  Bent  7000,  Logan 
10,088,  Morgan  1550,  Boulder  3584,  Prowers  10,265,  other  counties  1459. 
The  total  given  is  undoubtedly  too  low,  since  on  one  farm  near  Sterling  there 
is  recently  reported  the  feeding  of  25,000  head  of  lambs,  while  the  business 
is  carried  on  more  or  less  in  most  farming  sections. 


LIVE  STOCK  INDUSTRY. 

While  Colorado  has  always  been  classed  as  one  of  the  leading  live-stock 
States  of  the  Western  country,  it  is  only  within  the  past  two  years  that  the 
industry  has  advanced  to  a position  second  only  to  that  of  mining  and  smelt- 
ing. This  sudden  advance  has  been  due  to  a variety  of  causes,  chief  among 
which  has  been  the  large  increase  in  farming  and  alfalfa  raising,  thus  fur- 
nishing an  ample  supply  of  rough  feed  for  winter  use.  The  location  of  the 
State  between  the  wonderful  breeding  grounds  of  the  South  and  the  great 
open  ranges  of  the  North  has  made  it  a sort  of  stopping-place  for  the  cattle 
in  transit  from  one  section  to  the  other.  Formerly  the  great  movement  of 
cattle  in  the  West  was  from  the  southern  breeding  ranges  to  the  northern 
grazing  ranges,  but  during  the  past  three  years  the  enormous  quantity  of 
feed  produced  in  the  so-called  corn  States  of  the  Missouri  Valley  has  created 
a demand  for  these  cattle  and  advanced  prices  to  a point  where  the  grazier 
was  unable  to  compete  with  the  farmer  feeder.  The  result  was  that  the 
flow  of  cattle  through  Colorado  has  been  diverted  into  the  territory  east  of 
this  State,  and  many  thousand  were  stopped  in  Colorado  to  spend  a few 
months  eating  alfalfa  hay  and  becoming  acclimated.  Thus  incidentally  it 
was  discovered  that  the  dry,  bracing  winter  climate  along  the  eastern  slope 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  Colorado,  together  with  the  thousands  of  tons  of 
cheap  alfalfa  hay,  made  a combination  that  was  both  attractive  and  remu- 
nerative to  the  stockman.  The  net  result  was  an  increase  from  2,522,000 
head  of  live  stock  in  1S96  to  3.007,000  head  of  cattle  in  1898,  and  the  indica- 
tions are  that  the  end  is  not  yet. 

Colorado  is  a State  composed  of  magnificent,  well-watered  valleys  and 
broad,  arid  uplands.  The  valleys  are  rapidly  being  filled  with  farmers  who 
are  each  year  extending  their  cultivated  farms  and  producing  more  and  more 
of  the  succulent  alfalfa,  which  depends  upon  plenty  of  live  stock  at  hand  to 
eat  it.  for  its  value.  The  uplands  are  of  no  use  whatever  except  for  grazing 
cattle  during  the  summer  seasons.  The  great  cattle  syndicates  of  a few 
years  ago,  with  their  thousands  of  head  roaming  freely  over  the  uplands  in 
summer  and  through  the  valleys  in  winter,  have  almost  entirely  disappeared, 


24 


COLORADO. 


and  in  their  place  are  small  herds  from  100  to  500  head,  which  are  allowed 
to  graze  on  the  uplands  while  the  farmer  waters  and  reaps  his  harvest  of 
alfalfa,  run  in  the  fields  during  the  fall  and  eat  the  alfalfa  during  the  winter 
months,  reaching  spring  in  the  best  possible  condition. 

This  is  a combination  that  is  building  up  the,  live-stock  industry  in  Colo- 
rado far  beyond  what  it  ever  was  before.  As  the  valleys  are  settled  up  new 
farms  opened  and  more  alfalfa  produced  the  demand  for  cattle  is  increasing, 
and  it  is  a far  different  proposition  from  the  old  open-range  plan  of  stock- 
raising.  By  the  modern  methods  the  losses  are  reduced  to  practically  noth- 
ing, where  formerly  the  stockman  had  to  figure  on  from  10  to  30  per  cent, 
of  loss.  By  the  new  method  the  stockman  is  able  tc  use  thoroughbred  bulls 
and  control  his  breeding,  while  formerly  he  was  content  with  whatever 
Providence  gave  him,  just  so  it  had  horns  and  hoofs.  Where  formerly  one 
man  owned  or  controlled  all  the  cattle  in  one  district,  today  the  herds  are 
divided  among  a hundred.  In  short,  the  industry  has  been  placed  upon  a 
business  basis  and  the  uncertain  element,  so  popular  with  the  gambler,  has 
been  almost  entirely  eliminated. 

What  is  true  of  the  cattle  industry  is  equally  true  as  regards  sheep  and 
hogs.  With  the  improved  price  on  wool  and  the  increased  demand  for 
money,  Colorado  has  made  a long  jump  to  the  front  as  a sheep  State,  and 
as  with  cattle,  alfalfa  is  the  principal  cause.  Almost  through  an  accident  it 
was  discovered  that  alfalfa  was  the  hest  feed  when  used  in  conjunction  with 
corn  for  finishing  mutton  for  the  market  that  could  be  found.  The  farms  of 
the  Arkansas  Valley  and  of  the  territory  lying  north  of  Denver,  which  is 
one  of  the  richest  farming  sections  of  the  State,  every  fall  are  filled  with 
thousands  of  lambs,  brought  in  from  the  ranges  of  the  West  and  South  to  be 
stuffed  during  the  winter  with  alfalfa  and  corn  and  sent  away  to  the  mar- 
kets in  the  spring,  rolling  in  fat  and  commanding  the  highest  prices  paid 
in  any  market  of  the  world  as  “Colorado-fed  lambs.” 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  live-stock  market  at  Denver  attests  more  than 
anything  else  to  the  rapid  growth  of  the  industry  in  the  West,  and  particu- 
larly in  Colorado;  The  demand  at  this  market  for  fat  cattle  for  slaughter 
is  far  greater  than  the  supply,  and  the  farmers  are  only  just  discovering  that 
the  dry  climate  and  winters  filled  with  sunshine,  together  with  the  rich 
alfalfa,  enables  them  to  feed  cattle  for  market  and  finish  them  in  a much 
shorter  time  than  can  be  done  elsewhere,  and,  with  a market  for  all  they 
can  produce  right  at  their  door,  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  “Colorado 
beef”  will  be  known  in  the  markets  of  the  world  as  well  as  “Colorado 
mutton.” 

It  is  only  within  the  past  year  that  the  hog  industry  has  attracted  any 
considerable  attention.  At  present  the  demand  on  the  Denver  market  for 
Colorado  hogs  is  far  greater  than  the  supply,  and  those  that  are  raised 
bring  the  top  of  the  market  and  are  considered  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  the 
bes*:  Kansas  and  Nebraska  product.  Here  again  alfalfa  is  the  principal 
factor  in  making  the  industry  successful  and  remunerative.  The  hogs  are 
allowed  to  run  in  the  open  field,  and  are  grown  on  the  alfalfa  until  within 
a few  weeks  of  time  to  market  them,  when  they  are  finished  off  bn  corn,  and 
it  is  generally  admitted  by  packers  that  the  Colorado  alfalfa  hogs  are  the 
finest  flavored  and  make  the  most  marketable  product  of  any  hogs  known. 
In  addition  to  this,  the  dry  climate  and  bright  sunshine  seem  to  be  an  enemy 
to  that  dreaded  scourge  of  the  hog-raiser,  cholera,  and  losses  from  this 
cause  are  almost  unknown. 

The  following  comparative  figures  on  the  movement  of  live  stock  through 
the  Denver  market  during  the  past  thirteen  years  will  convey  a fair  idea 
of  the  growth  of  the  industry,  although  the  figures  do  not  represent  the  total 
number  of  head  moved,  as  large  numbers  find  their  way  to  other  markets 
and  are  consumed  locally: 


COLORADO.  25 

Horses 

and 


Cattle. 

Hogs. 

Sheep. 

Mules. 

1886 

54,229 

23,461 

25,969 

4,955 

1887 

38,412 

53,578 

36,879 

5,260 

1888 

105,792 

63,807 

108,582 

7,125 

1889 

177,031 

74,955 

157,648 

6,645 

1S90 

113,664 

107,025 

177,898 

5,720 

1S91 

141,204 

80,060 

165,616 

8,630 

1892 

143,211 

83,413 

134,398 

11,938 

1893 

154,739 

62,111 

130,373 

7.987 

1894 

147,506 

94,099 

138,990 

6,009 

1895 

47,598 

156,412 

3.051 

1896 

202,013 

56,537 

180,639 

2,537 

1897 

248,888 

75,065 

308,661 

2,246 

189S* 

291,566 

79,264 

292,508 

3,060 

*Last  month  of  1S9S  estimated. 

The  complete  evolution  that  has  occurred  in  the  live-stock  industry  has 
•opened  a new  era  which  as  yet  is  but  in  its  infancy.  For  the  next  five  years 
at  least  the  opportunities  in  Colorado  and  the  West  for  the  farmer  stock- 
raiser  will  he  such  as  to  attract  thousands  of  farmers  from  the  crowded  dis- 
tricts in  the  East  to  the  more  profitable  openings  in  the  West.  The  clever 
farmer  needs  only  to  investigate  to  be  convinced. 


HORSES. 

Until  recently  the  cattle  business  has  absorbed  nearly  all  the  attention 
and  the  capital  for  stock-raising  purposes.  The  change  in  the  cattle  business 
has  become  a great  benefit  to  the  horse-raising  interest.  Coincident  with 
this  change  it  was  discovered  that  the  climate  of  Colorado  was  exceedingly 
well  adapted  to  horses,  and  that  they  could  stand  the  rigors  of  winter  upon 
the  range  much  better  than  cattle.  Five  years  prior  to  1888  the  number  of 
horses  in  the  herds  was  not  taken  into  account.  According  to  statistics  for 
1897.  there  ars  172,000  head  of  horses  in  the  State,  valued  at  $6,020,000. 
Special  attention  is  paid  to  the  importation  of  the  large  foreign  draft  horses 
for  breeding  purposes,  and  it  is  said  these  horses  find  a larger  market  in 
Colorado  than  in  any  State  of  the  Union.  Thoroughbreds  are  also  raised 
there  in  considerable  numbers.  A steady  improvement  in  quality  is  noted, 
and  many  of  the  well-known  racers  on  the  American  turf  today  are  native 
Colorado  animals. 


SHEEP. 

The  total  number  of  grown  sheep  in  the  State  in  1897  was  1.700,000  head, 
valued  at  $4,250,000.  The  best-conducted  flocks  have  paid  not  far  from  20 
per  cent,  on  the  money  invested.  The  wool  per  capita  averages  a fraction 
over  six  pounds.  Spanish  merinos,  bred  up  from  native  Mexican  ewes,  pre- 
dominate. There  are  comparatively  few  of  the  Downs,  or  mutton  breeds,  in 
the  State.  This  branch  of  the  industry  is  now  receiving  attention.  The 
sheep  flocks  are  to  be  found  in  every  part  of  the  State,  but  mainly  east  of 
the  mountains,  though  herds  are  to  be  found  in  every  park  and  valley  of  the 
mountains  as  well.  The  recent  introduction  of  alfalfa  and  other  improved 
hay  grasses  insures  the  successful  raising  of  sheep  and  production  of  wool 
without  limit.  Of  the  wool-growing  industry  a more  extended  notice  is 
given  under  that  heading. 


2G 


COLORADO. 


HOGS. 

The  hog  has  had  an  existence  in  Colorado  more  in  the  role  of  a domestic 
animal  than  an  article  of  commercial  value,  except  as  he  has  appeared  in 
disjointed  form  at  the  market  stalls  and  at  a very  high  price.  The  spng 
in  Colorado  might  have  been,  “Everything  is  Lovely,  and  the  Hog  Hangs 
High.”  But  now,  with  the  new  discovery  that  the  soil  of  Eastern  Colorado 
is  marvelously  productive  of  corn,  the  hog  will  henceforth  be  expected  to  be 
fruitful  and  multiply,  and  to  be  diligent  in  the  pursuit  of  life,  liberty  and 
happiness.  There  were,  according  to  the  returns  for  1S9T,  in  the  State, 
35,000  hogs,  valued  at  $263,500. 

In  either  of  the  first  three  named  branches  of  the  stock  industry  there 
are  abundant  room  and  opportunities  without  limit  for  the  investment  of 
capital,  or  for  individual  enterprise  in  the  business.  The  location  of  farms 
and  the  building  of  towns  and  country  homes  along  the  lines  of  railway 
bring  about,  a constantly-increasing  demand  for  lire  stock,  as  well  as  all 
other  native  products,  and  also  render  the  business  of  stock-raising  a more 
attractive  occupation. 

It  must  not  be  inferred  that  the  change  which  is  taking  place  in  reference 
to  cattle  threatens  in  any  imminent  degree  to  destroy  the  range  business. 
Such  a change  can  only  come  when  the  plain  lands  are  generally  taken  up 
by  actual  settlement.  There  are  many  millions  of  acres  of  unclaimed  gove- 
ernment  lands,  embracing  the  range  on  the  eastern  sides  of  the  mountains, 
and  many  millions  on  the  western  sides,  where  the  great  herds  may  roam 
and  browse  and  fatten,  increasing  in  numbers  and  enriching  their  owners  for 
a generation  to  come. 

The  range  cattle  business  in  Colorado,  when  once  well  started,  is  the 
most  profitable  of  all  enterprises  when  the  labor  and  cost  of  conducting  it, 
at  least  according  to  the  past  methods,  are  compared  with  its  productiveness. 
The  recent  efforts  that  have  been  made  to  aid  the  herds  in  passing  through 
the  winters  have  incurred  some  expense,  which  has  been  remunerated  in  less 
mortality  and  in  more  valuable  stock. 

Should  there  be  any  that  are  curious  tc  know  how  to  start  in  the  busi- 
ness, there  is  this  simple  suggestion:  Any  person  who  can  purchase  a dozen 
head  of  cattle  can  in  time  become  the  owner  of  a great  herd.  Some  of  the 
wealthiest  cattle  kings  in  Colorado  began  as  cow-boys,  having  nothing  in  the 
world  but  cow-boy  wages.  With  these  wages  they  bought  cattle  from  their 
employers,  putting  their  own  brands  upon  them.  In  the  course  of  years,  by 
additional  purchases  and  by  breeding,  their  herds  grew  large  in  numbers, 
and  the  owners  became  rich.  These  opportunities  are  still  open  to  all  new 
settlers. 

WOOL-GROWING. 

It  has  been  discovered  by  live-stock  men  in  Colorado  that  sheep-raising 
can  be  made  more  profitable  than  cattle-growing.  This  knowledge  comes 
with  the  results  of  good  keeping,  better  feeding  and  better  breeding.  The 
facilities  for  all  these  things  are  daily  on  the  increase.  The  increased  value 
is  found  both  in  mutton  and  wool.  To  the  latter  product  belongs  the  future 
value  of  Colorado  sheep,  inasmuch  as  the  State  is  in  the  center  of  the  great- 
est wool-growing  section  of  the  United  States,  with  all  the  territory  requisite 
and  natural  advantages  sufficient  to  supply  the  warp  and  wool  and  the  fabric 
to  all  the  West.  Three  million  sheep  yield  a clip  of  nearly  twenty  million 
pounds  of  wool.  It  is  estimated  that  Colorado  is  susceptible  of  carrying 
25.000,000  sheep.  At  the  rate  of  present  yield,  the  clip  would  be  150,000,000 
pounds  of  wool.  The  outlook  for  lamb-feeding  next  winter,  as  usual  at  this, 
time  of  the  year,  is  very  much  in  doubt.  In  Colorado  next  fall  the  majority 
of  breeders  will  seek  to  secure  New  Mexican  lambs,  as  it  has  been  shown 


COLORADO. 


by  experiment  that  this  class  of  lambs  do  better  and  bring  a better  price 
finished  than  any  other  kind.  The  reason  generally  attributed  is  the  fact 
that  lambs  from  that  section  are  of  medium  grade,  not  thick-pelted,  and  the 
flesh  has  not  the  oily  taste  of  the  finer  grades.  Many  of  the  Colorado  feeders 
ai’e  raising  sugar  beets  this  season,  and  will  combine  them  -with  the  alfalfa 
and  corn,  using  corn  only  to  finish  and  give  the  proper  color.  While  the 
feeders  report  satisfactory  returns  for  last  winter,  showing  an  average  profit 
of  fifty  cents  per  head  for  feeding,  there  is  a growing  sentiment  against 
paying  as  high  prices  as  were  paid  last  year.  A number  of  contracts  have 
already  been  made  in  New  Mexico  for  fall  delivery  at  prices  ranging  from 
$1.90  to  $2.25  per  head,  and  these  are  about  the  prices  that  the  feeders  are 
willing  to  pay.  In  the  Fort  Collins  district  it  is  claimed  that  unless  prices  are 
lower  than  last  year,  15  per  cent,  of  the  feeders  will  decline  to  take  the 
chances  but  will  turn  their  attention  to  cattle-feeding.  There  is  a movement 
in  some  quarters  in  favor  of  buying  lambs  on  the  range  by  weight  instead  of 
by.  the  head.  Some  contracts  have  been  made  in  this  way  already,  the  prices 
being  quoted  at  $3  and  $3.50  per  hundred  pounds.  Most  feeders  estimate 
that  they  must  buy  lambs  to  feed  at  not  to  exceed  four  cents  per  pound  with 
freight  paid  to  river  in  order  to  succeed. 

It  is  too  early  yet  to  correctly  estimate  the  wool  crop,  but  from  reports 
received  from  many  sections  the  crop  is  fully  equal  to  last  year  and  an 
increase  of  10  per  cent,  is  a conservative  estimate.  Prices  being  paid  are 
very  much  higher  than  last  year,  and  flockmasters  will  net  handsome  profits. 
Prices  have  been  ranging  from  fourteen  to  eighteen  cents  per  pound  on  the 
range.  The  quality  of  the  wool  is  rather  above  the  average. 


DAIRY  AND  POULTRY  PRODUCTS. 

These  are  two,  among  the  many,  industries  of  Colorado  that  offer  great 
opportunities  to  persons  seeking  a place  for  profitable  investment  or  pro- 
gressive employment.  The  farmers  have  ~he  capacity  for  unlimited  pro- 
duction in  these  lines;  but  being  absorbed  for  the  most  part  in  extending 
their  farms  and  improving  the  methods  of  farming,  little  attention  compara- 
tively speaking  is  paid  to  these  branches  of  money-making  business. 

The  figures  represent  a large  revenue,  that  could  as  well  be  made  within 
each  agricultural  community  of  the  State,  and  no  better  evidence  could  be 
furnished  of  the  grand  opportunities  offered  to  enterprising  men  and  Vomen 
to  come  into  the  State,  buy  a small  farm  and  engage  in  raising  poultry  and 
eggs  and  in  butter-making  for  Colorado  towns  and  cities.  For  these  pur- 
poses there  is  no  better  field  in  the  world  than  Central  Colorado. 

It  cannot  be  said,  however,  that  these  branches  are  neglected.  Consider- 
able attention  is  paid  to  the  dairy  business,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of 
Denver,  and  both  in  the  breeds  of  cattle  used  and  the  manner  of  their  keep- 
ing, the  effort  is  almost  uniformly  toward  the  production  of  superior  butter. 
In  this  connection  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  prices  which  prevail  would 
compare  favorably  with  Eastern  markets.  The  best  grades  in  winter  sell 
nominally  at  forty  cents  per  pound,  and  in  the  spring  and  summer  nymths  at 
from  thirty  to  thirty-five  cents,  much  of  the  home  product  being  sold  at 
twenty-five  cents  per  pound,  retail.  Ranch,  or  native  laid,  fresh  eggs  com- 
mand from  twenty-five  to  thirty  cents  per  dozen  the  year  round,  except  in 
late  fall  and  midwinter,  when  they  sometimes  reach  thirty-five  to  forty  cents. 

It  is  perhaps  the  poultry  business  which  needs  the  greatest  attention  of 
these  three  branches  in  Colorado.  A greater  number  of  fowls  and  lower 
prices  are  the  two  things  greatly  to  be  desired.  Chickens  of  all  sizes  are 
always  high  in  price.  Spring  chickens,  when  the  time  comes  for  them,  are 
a luxury  that  is  entirely  too  expensive  in  this  country.  A poor  little  baby  of 
a chick  that  is  just  weaned  from  its  mother,  about  large  enough  to  make  a 
man  hungry  after  he  has  eaten  the  whole  of  it,  sells  at  the  market  stand  for 


28 


COLORADO. 


thirty-five  cents.  But  this  wee  mite  of  a chick  is  not  the  little  rooster  to  be 
complained  of.  It  is  the  standard-gauge  spring  chicken,  a few  feather- 
weights larger,  a few  days  older,  aDd  with  a little  more  experience,  that  gives 
one  a religious  sort  of  yearning  for  the  good  old-fashioned  camp-meeting 
days,  in  the  land  of  our  pious  fathers  beyond  the  plains,  where  chickens 
grow  spontaneously,  and  are  given  almost  without  price.  In  Denver,  for 
instance,  this  cliippery  young  fledgling,  having  only  the  superior  merit  of 
being  a Colorado  product,  before  he  is  old  enough  to  crow  over  his  self- 
importance,  commands  a half  a dollar,  head,  feathers  and  all.  But  if  he  is 
cooked  and  served  upon  a plate  at  a restaurant  table,  one  dollar  is  his 
uniform  price. 

Such  prices  place  these  luxuries  beyond  the  reach  of  the  masses.  There 
is  sufficient  room  and  opportunity  and  adaptation  in  Colorado  for  such  an 
increase  in  this  business  that  every  man,  woman  and  child  in  Colorado  could 
have  a spring  chicken  for  breakfast  every  day  in  the  year — “at  prices  to  suit.” 

FRUITS  AND  FRUIT-GROWING. 

The  growing  of  fruits  in  Colorado  on  a large  commercial  scale  has  been 
Introduced  within  the  last  very  few  years,  but  is  already  acquiring  a stand  as 
one  of  the  leading  industries  of  the  State.  Practically  all  of  the  State, 
wherever  water  can  be  secured  for  irrigation,  is  capable  of  producing  the 
most  beautiful  fruits,  and  certain  sections  are  particularly  favored  in  the 
way  of  location,  climate,  soil,  etc.,  for  special  fruits.  Within  a radius  of 
fifty  miles  or  so  of  Denver  there  have  been  planted  many  hundreds  of  acres 
of  apples,  and  there  are  already  being  produced  within  this  section  sufficient 
fruit  not  only  for  home  consumption,  but  for  sending  to  other  markets. 

So  far  as  there  is  any  record,  the  first  fruit  grown  in  the  State  of  Colorado 
was  planted  about  the  year  1863,  but  no  striking  impetus  was  given  to  the 
business  until  within  the  last  decade. 

A firm  well  known  in  Missouri  secured  some  years  ago,  near  the  city  of 
Denver,  a few  acres  of  ground  on  which  to  try  an  experiment  in  the  way  of 
growing  fruit  trees,  especially  apples,  for  orchard  purposes,  without  irri- 
gating, and  thus  by  a system  of  frequent  and  thorough  cultivation  succeeded 
in  procuring  results  which  are  little  short  of  marvelous.  In  their  orchards, 
and  these  conducted  along  similar  lines,  there  have  been  grown  thousands  of 
bushels  of  fruit  without  the  use  of  a single  drop  of  artificial  water. 

What  the  future  has  in  store  for  Colorado  in  the  way  of  the  growth  of 
fruit  in  this  particular  way  no  one  can  foretell;  but  while  that  is  being 
demonstrated  there  is  an  absolute  certainty  that  all  fruits  of  the  temperate 
zone  may  be  grown  in  one  place  or  another  with  the  greatest  success. 

APPLES  IN  COLORADO. 

The  varieties  of  apples  grown  in  Colorado  are  about  the  same  as  those 
most  commonly  grown  in  the  trans-Mississippi  country,  including  such  varie- 
ties as  Ben  Davis,  Wine  Sap,  Jonathan,  Willow  Twig,  Grimes’  Golden, 
Wealthy,  ete.,  and  the  beauty,  quality  and  size  of  these  apples  is  equalled  by 
those  of  very  few  apple-producing  sections  in  the  entire  world.  From  the 
first  planting  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  State,  not  very-  far  from  Denver, 
the  growth  of  the  apple  has  extended,  until  today  there  is  practically  not  a 
valley  in  the  State  in  which  it  has  not  been  clearly  demonstrated  that  apple- 
growing can  be  successfully  and  profitably  carried  cn. 


COLORADO. 


29 


PEACHES. 

Until  within  the  short  time  mentioned  above,  viz.,  about  a dozen  years, 
the  growth,  of  peaches  in  Colorado  was  extremely  limited,  but  on  the  western 
slope  of  the  mountains,  which  is  in  the  vicinity  of  Grand  Junction,  Montrose, 
etc.,  there  have  been  planted  within  a very  recent  time  not  only  dozens,  but 
hundreds  and  thousands  of  acres  of  orchards  of  this  noble  fruit,  the  product 
being  equal  in  quality,  color  and  size,  and  all  necessary  qualities  for  suc- 
cessful competition  in  the  markets  of  the  world,  with  any  peaches  grown 
anywhere.  A few  years  ago  the  very  acme  of  perfection  was  thought  to 
have  been  reached  in  the  Salt  Lake  region  of  Utah,  but  at  the  present  time 
in  any  great  markets  of  the  United  States  the  Grand  Junction  peaches  will 
“hold  their  own,”  not  only  with  those  of  Utah,  but  with  those  of  New  Jersey, 
New  York  or  elsewhere.  There  has  never  been,  since  trees  begun  bearing 
in  that  section,  a complete  failure,  and  there  is  every  reason  for  believing 
that  the  entire  western  slope  of  Colorado,  and  much  of  the  eastern  slope,  as 
well,  will  rank  very  soon  as  equal  to  the  best  peach-growing  section  in  the 
world.  The  particular  reason  why  peaches  are  more  satisfactory  to  plant 
for  fruit  than  other  tree  fruits  is  that  they  bear  at  such  an  extremely  early 
age.  It  is  no  uncommon  thing  in  Colorado  to  find  trees  three  or  four  years 
planted  bearing  up  to  a bushel  of  splendid  fruit  each,  and  one  such  crop  as 
this  will  easily  pay  for  the  tree  and  all  the  care  which  it  may  have  received 
down  to  that  time,  leaving  all  future  crops  for  profit. 

PEARS. 

Many  pears  of  various  varieties  are  grown,  and  these,  as  well  as  the 
peaches  and  apples,  take  the  very  highest  rank  wherever  they  are  placed 
upon  the  market. 

SMALL  FRUITS. 

Not  a small  fruit  can  be  named  that  is  not  entirely  successful  in  the 
greater  part  of  the  State  of  Colorado;  the  entire  range  of  grapes,  from  the 
native  American  sorts  to  the  splendid  Italian  varieties,  can  be  grown  with 
the  greatest  success.  Persons  not  familiar  with  the  subject  are  entirely 
overcome  with  surprise  when  hearing  that  nearly  all  of  the  best  desert 
grapes,  which  they  have  heretofore  supposed  to  grow  only  in  California  or 
the  extreme  South,  reach  the  highest  perfection  in  Colorado,  especially  in 
the  western  part  of  the  State.  All  the  leading  varieties  of  blackberries, 
raspberries  and  strawberries  grow,  bearing  abundantly  and  the  fruit  being 
of  the  very  finest  quality. 

Of  the  other  tree  fruits,  such  as  cherries  and  prunes,  scarcely  too  strong 
a setting  forth  of  the  adaptability  of  Colorado  to  their  growth  can  be  made. 
Not  only  do  the  native  prunes  grow  and  bear  well,  but  many  of  the  European 
varieties,  including' the  prunes,  are  especially  adapted  to  the  conditions,  and 
bear  most  abundantly.  The  sweet  cherries,  so  popular  in  the  East,  but 
which  grow  sparingly  in  all  the  prairie  States  in  the  West,  do  extremely 
well  in  many  porties  of  Colorado. 

COLORADO  FRUIT  AT  THE  TRANS-MISSISSIPPI  AND  INTER- 
NATIONAL EXPOSITION. 

Colorado  covered  continually,  and  with  great  credit,  a space  of  nearly 
2000  feet,  the  fruit  being  a continual  source  of  admiration  and  wonder  to 
the  visitors  from  outside  the  immediate  section  where  grown.  The  universal 
comment  of  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  visitors  who  passed  through  the- 


30 


COLORADO. 


beautiful  Horticultural  Building  during  that  period  was  that  Colorado  fruits 
were  equal  in  every  respect  to  those  coming  from  any  other  place.  When  it 
is  considered  that  practically  every  trans-Mississippi  State  was  represented 
in  the  fruit  exhibit,  it  will  be  understood  what  a high  rank  Colorado  took. 

There  is  probably  no  better  opening  in  the  United  States  today  for  the 
making  of  a comfortable  living,  as  well  as  the  laying  aside  of  a good  profit, 
than  in  the  growth  of  fruits  for  the  markets  which  may  be  reached  from 
Colorado.  Anyone  contemplating  locating  in  Colorado  can  scarcely  go 
wrong,  so  far  as  the  ability  of  the  land  to  produce  fruit  is  concerned,  and' 
there  is  no  reason  why  every  owner  of  land,  even  if  it  is  but  a small  parcel, 
should  not  have  all  that  he  may  need  for  his  own  use  and  that  of  his  family 
of  as  good  fruit  as  gladdens  the  palate  of  anyone  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  Of 
course,  it  is  true  that  the  growth  of  fruit  in  large  tracts  and  for  the  market 
requires  more  or  less  knowledge  of  the  selection  of  the  varieties,  packing 
for  shipment,  preserving  or  drying,  in  order  to  care  for  the  surplus,  and  many 
other  points,  but  this  is  a business  easily  acquired  and  pleasant  to  carry  on. 
There  is  room  within  the  borders  of  the  great  State  of  Colorado  for  thou- 
sands of  people  who  might  remove  from  places  where  their  environments  are 
not  pleasant  to  this  healthful  section,  where  pleasant  and  profitable  outdoor 
occupation  may  be  entered  upon  with  every  probability  of  success. 


MINING  AND  THE  PRECIOUS  METALS. 

The  record  of  the  mining  industry  has  been  one  of  steady  increase  of 
production  from  the  first  discoveries  to  the  present  day.  While  the  territory 
embraced  within  the  present  State  boundaries  marked  the  scene  of  several 
exploring  parties  of  earlier  date,  not  until  the  year  1858  were  the  white 
pioneers  strong  enough,  numerically,  to  establish  a settlement.  The  inhab- 
itants even  at  this  late  date  were  mainly  Indians  of  various  tribes.  White 
hunters  and  trappers  were  sparsely  scattered  over  this  section  and  had  for 
years  plied  their  vocations  to  advantage.  Later  they  were  joined  by  the 
prospectors  in  search  of  precious  metals.  In  1858  credence  was  given  to 
earlier  rumors  by  a small  party  of  prospectors,  who  reported  the  discovery 
of  gold  in  paying  quantities.  The  result  of  this  report  was  the  concentration 
of  the  white  inhabitants  in  sufficient  numbers  to  establish  the  first  mining 
camp.  This  camp  was  located  near  the  present  site  of  the  city  of  Denver, 
and  called  Montana. 

The  development  of  the  gold  deposits  soon  demonstrated  the  same  to  be 
of  little  value  under  the  economic  conditions  existing  at  that  time.  The 
prospectors  began  to  disband,  and  the  search  for  gold  was  continued  in  the 
more  mountainous  sections. 

At  this  time  Colorado  was  far  inland,  and  communication  was  only  pos- 
sible by  wagons  “crossing  the  plains.”  In  this1  manner  the  reports  of  the 
gold  discoveries  were  conveyed  to  the  Eastern  States;  the  value  increasing, 
and  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome  decreasing,  with  repetition,  time  and 
distance. 

The  people  of  the  Eastern  States,  still  suffering  from  the  financial  crash 
of  1857,  were  ready  to  grasp  at  any  opportunity  for  retrieving  lost  fortunes, 
so  the  inflated  reports  of  gold  in  Colorado  were  accepted  as  received.  This 
was  productive  of  a tide  of  immigration  which  soon  made  the  “Pike’s  Peak 
Country”  famous. 

On  January  7,  1859,  George  A.  Jackson  discovered  gold  in  paying  quan- 
tities at  a point  near  the  present  site  of  Idaho  Springs.  Following  this,  dis- 
coveries which  yielded  fair  returns  were  made  in  several  sections,  and  the 
mining  industry  fairly  launched. 

In  February,  1861,  Colorado  was  organized  as  a territory,  with  an  esti- 
mated population  of  65.000.  The  wisdom  of  this  act  of  Congress  was  con- 


COLORADO. 


31 


siderecl  questionable  even  to  as  late  as  1S70.  This  year  marked  the  advent 
of  a railroad,  and  was  practically  the  first  assurance  of  a permanent  indus- 
trial establishment  in  Colorado. 

Aided  by  railroad  connection,  the  development  was  more  rapid.  In  1S76 
the  territory  of  Colorado  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a State. 

While  the  record  of  mining  in  Colorado  has  been  one  of  increase  of  pro- 
duction, the  product  has  been  variable.  The  early  mining  was  for  gold 
alone.  The  demand  for  “pay  placer  beds,”  under  primitive  conditions,  ex- 
ceeded the  supply.  The  lodes  or  veins  were  discovered  to  carry  gold  values, 
and  the  oxidized  ores  near  the  surface  found  to  yield  a profit.  Silver  at  that 
time  was  considered  detrimental. 

The  opening  of  gold-bearing  veins  soon  developed  the  necessity  for  mills. 
Their  introduction  followed  with  variable  success. 

The  establishment  and  successful  operation  of  the  Boston  and  Colorado 
Smelting  Works,  at  Black  Hawk,  in  1868,  marks  one  of  the  most  important 
events  in  Colorado  history.  Silver  and  copper  began  to  have  some  intrinsic 
value;  a new  era  in  the  State's  mining  progress  was  opened.  Ores  which 
prior  to  the  establishment  of  this  plant  were  worthless,  under  new  conditions 
were  found  to  possess  intrinsic  value.  More  activity  in  mining  followed. 
Silver  became  a commodity  to  be  sought  rather  than  avoided. 

Following  the  advent  of  a railroad,  in  1870,  reputed  rich  finds  of  gold  and 
silver  in  the  San  Juan  section,  in  1872;  the  discovery  of  lead  carbonates, 
carrying  silver,  in  Leadville,  in  1874,  an  era  of  building  railroads  and  reduc- 
tion works  began,  which  reached  a climax  in  1879.  By  this  time  the  army 
of  prospectors  had  stopped  the  search  for  gold  and  turned  their  attention  to 
the  discovery  of  lead-silver  properties.  In  an  incredibly  short  time  the  mines 
yielded  silver  in  excess  of  gold,  and  the  State  stood  at  the  head  of  the  list 
as  a producer  of  silver. 

From  1879  until  1889  the  search  for  silver  mines  continued.  Through 
adverse  legislation  the  market  price  of  silver  declined  until  the  demand  for 
new  silver  mines  was  practically  at  a minimum.  Prospectors  again  turned 
their  attention  to  a search  for  gold.  As  a result  Colorado,  for  gold  produc- 
tion in  1897,  stands  the  recognized  leader. 

The  transition  of  the  State's  production  of  precious  metals  from  gold  to 
silver,  and  later  from  silver  to  gold,  is  not  only  a tribute  to  the  limitless 
resources  of  the  State,  but  also  to  her  citizens.  It  not  only  demonstrates  the 
ability  of  both  to  meet  the  demand,  but  to  take  the  lead  in  supplying  the  metal 
demanded. 

For  more  than  a decade  past  Colorado  has  led  all  other  States  and  Terri- 
tories in  the  Union  in  the  value  of  her  precious  metal  productions,  and  since 
the  first  settlement  of  the  State,  in  1859,  no  other  natural  resource  has  con- 
tributed so  zealously  to  the  support  and  prosperity  of  the  people  of  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region. 

From  the  early  days  of  placer  mining  to  the  present  time,  mining  has 
been  one  of  the  chief  industries  of  the  people  of  the  State,  and  the  steady 
development  of  new  mines  and  ore  deposits  has  kept  pace  with  the  continu- 
ally-increasing population;  and  even  today,  with  the  thousands  of  producing 
mines  scattered  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  State,  less  than 
the  one-hundredth  part  of  Colorado’s  mineral  wealth  is  known. 

Vast  lodes  of  silver  and  gold  ore  seam  almost  e'very  mountain,  and,  in 
obedience  to  man’s  energy  and  industry,  have  yielded  up  their  treasures  in 
a steady  stream,  until  the  amount  so  far  realized  aggregates  an  almost 
incredible  sum. 

In  addition  to  the  fissure  vein  or  lodes,  the  State  is  also  very  prolific  in 
immense  deposits  of  argentiferous  lead  ores,  and  beyond  the  production  of 
silver  and  gold,  Colorado  has  a most  remarkable  record  for  the  yield  of  lead. 
Since  the  opening  of  the  Leadville  district  the  State  has  annually  produced 
from  40  to  60  per  cent,  of  the  entire  lead  output  of  the  whole  country. 


COLORADO. 


TOTAL  YIELD  OF  THE  STATE. 


Since  the  beginning  of  mining  in  Colorado  to  the  close  of  the  last  calendar 
year,  the  production  of  gold  and  silver  alone  has  been  as  follows: 


18G9  to  1870 

1870  

1871  

1872  

1873  

1874  

1875  

1S76 

1877  

1878  

1879  

1880  

18S1 

1882 

1883  

1884  

1SS5 

1886 

18S7 

1888 

1SS9 

1S90 

1891  

1892  

1893  

1894  

1895  

1S96 

1897 


$27,543,801  00 

2.856.000  00 
3,029,046  24 

3.740.000  00 

3.935.000  00 
5,098,510  00 
5,284,382  02 
6,041,907  82 
6,875,086  88 
9,282,191  17 

13,989,233  70 
21,821,500  00 

20.480.000  00 

15. 880. 000  00 

21.470.000  00 

20.300.000  00 
17,990,351  00 
22,655,823  47 
20,792,624  31 
26,061,546  00 
29,935,477  00 
29,880,734  00 
33,548,934  00 
32,342,571  00 
27,732,785  00 
24,188,427  00 
25,243,186  00 
29,725,770  00 
32,272,085  00 


Total 


$546,750,281  72 


THE  NATURE  OF  VEINS  AND  DEPOSITS. 

Probably  no  other  portion  of  the  globe  presents  greater  diversity  in  the 
characteristics  and  peculiarities  of  its  mineral  veins  and  deposits.  Ores  are 
found  under  all  conceivable  conditions,  and  yet  with  all,  as  a rule,  in  suffi- 
cient quantities  to  admit  of  their  practical  and  profitable  extraction. 

In  the  metamorphosed  granite  mountains  of  the  main  ranges,  the  typical 
fissure  veins,  with  well-defined  and  nearly  perpendicular  walls,  are  found, 
often  aggregated  in  great  numbers,  and  universally  mineralized  to  a profit- 
able degree,  while  not  infrequently  they  open  out  to  from  ten  to  forty  feet  of 
fine  silver. and  gold-bearing  quartz. 

In  the  trachytic  and  porphyrytic  districts  rich  fissures  also  prevail,  run- 
ning very  high  in  silver,  as  a rule,  while  occasionally  the  precious  metals  are 
associated  with  such  quantities  of  lead  or  copper  ore  that  the  base  metals 
more  than  pay  all  cost  of  mining  and  treating  the  ore. 

In  other  sections  again  where  there  have  been  large  overflows  of  por- 
phyry upon  the  carboniferous  or  Silurian  limestone,  great  deposits  of  silver 
lead  ore  are  found,  often  covering  many  acres  of  ground,  like  vast  coal  beds. 
To  this  latter  class  belong  the  mines  of  Leadville,  also  the  mines  about  Rob- 
inson, Red  Cliff,  Aspen,  Monarch,  White  Pine  and  Rico. 


COLORADO. 


33 


CHARACTER  OF  ORES  FOUND. 

Almost  every  known  kind  of  mineral  is  found  in  Colorado  in  greater  or 
less  quantity,  and  a complete  list  would  fill  many  pages  of  this  pamphlet.  As 
a consequence,  attention  must  be  confined  only  to  ores  containing  economic 
values.  In  this  class  the  pyritiferous  iron  ores  and  the  argentiferous  lead 
ores  predominate.  In  tbe  mines  of  Gilpin  and  Clear  Creek  counties  the  ores 
are  mostly  quartz,  containing  iron  pyrites,  which  carry  the  silver  and  gold; 
the  former  as  a sulphide,  and  the  latter  in  its  native  state.  Quite  generally 
also  these  ores  contain  galena  and  zinc- blende.  The  latter,  while  often  richer 
in  silver  than  the  pyritiferous  ores,  usually  runs  very  little  in  gold.  In  some 
of  the  deposit  mines  where  depth  has  been  obtained  and  the  ore  has  not  been 
subjected  to  great  atmospheric  or  changing  aqueous  influences,  the  ore  also 
exists  as  a sulphide,  the  matrix  of  the  rich  mineral  being  very  generally  a 
mixture  of  iron,  zinc,  galena,  and  frequently  copper,  in  its  various  composi- 
tions. Near  the  surface  the  ore  in  the  limestone  and  horizontal  veins  is 
changed  from  sulphide  to  carbonate  and  oxides.  The  gangue  then  is  an 
oxide  of  iron,  sometimes  associated  with  a great  deal  of  manganese,  and 
often  very  rich  in  silver.  The  lead  is  transmitted  into  a carbonate  (cerussite), 
also  an  oxide  and  sulphate,  with  frequent  masses  of  gelenite,  the  lead  evi- 
dently yielding  less  readily  to  oxidizing  and  carbonizing  agencies  than  the 
iron  ore.  The  zinc  is  generally  absent  in  such  ores,  as  upon  losing  a portion 
of  its  sulphur  it  becomes  soluble,  and  consequently  susceptible  to  the  leach- 
ing influences  of  percolating  waters.  The  removal  of  this  zinc,  which  is  so 
troublesome  in  smelting,  is  the  main  cause  of  the  desirability  of  carbonate 
ores  for  reduction  in  furnaces.  In  the  carbonized  ores  the  bulk  of  the  silver 
exists  as  a bromide  of  chloride  of  silver,  known  as  horn  silver,  when  found 
in  large  aggregations.  Not  infrequently  the  decomposition  of  bromo-chloride 
of  silver  results  in  magnificent  productions  of  native  silver. 

DEEP  AND  EXTENSIVELY-DEVELOPED  MINES. 

Although  Colorado  cannot  boast  of  mines  having  such  enormous  depths 
as  the  Comstock  or  some  European  mines,  still  enough  depth  has  been  at- 
tained in  many  portions  of  the  State,  and  in  all  classes  of  lodes  and  veins, 
to  prove  conclusively  that  the  veins  descend  as  deep  as  it  will  be  found  prac- 
ticable to  work  them.  The  California  Mine,  near  Central  City,  has  attained 
a vertical  depth  of  1900  feet,  and  discloses  very  large  and  rich  ore  masses  in 
its  lowest  levels.  Other  mines  through  Gilpin  and  Clear  Creek  counties,  by 
means  of  tunnels  and  shafts  are  extracting  ore  at  distances  from  the  surface 
of  1000  to  2000  feet.  Very  considerable  depth  has  also  been  attained  in 
many  mines  in  the  southwestern  and  central  portions  of  the  State. 

In  the matter  of  extensive  workings,  probably  no  place  can  show  the 
equal  of  some  of  the  carbonate  mines.  The  ore  bodies  are  large,  and  sub- 
terranean chambers  are  frequently  excavated  that  would  contain  a very  large 
business  block.  In  the  Stone  Mine  of  the  Iron  Silver,  ore  body  attained  a 
maximum  thickness  of  130  feet,  a width  of  250  feet,  and  a length  of  about 
500  feet.  Millions  of  cubic  feet  of  timber  are  consumed  annually  in  support- 
ing the  roofs  and  walls  of  the  mines  of  the  State. 

PHENOMENAL  ORE  BODIES  AND  DIVIDENDS. 

There  are  so  many  remarkably  large  ore  deposits  and  veins  in  this  State 
that  one  is  at  loss  to  select  fair  representatives  Smuggler  vein,  in  Marshall 
Basin,  in  the  San  Juan  country,  shows  a profitably  mineralized  ore  chimney 
for  over  4000  feet  without  a single  interruption.  The  thickness  of  this  ore 
streak  ranges  from  eight  inches  to  six  feet,  with  a depth  unknown,  and  the 
ore,  which  is  a quartz,  carrying  native,  ruby  and  sulphide  of  silver,  runs 


34 


COLORADO. 


from  forty  to  600  ounces  and  over  per  ton.  On  this  vein  are  located  the 
Mendota,  Sheridan,  Smuggler  and  Union  Mines,  all  in  Bonanza. 

Another  marvelous  ore  body  is  that  opened  in  the  Minnie  Mine  at  Lead- 
ville,  where  there  is  estimated  to  be  over  $10,000,000  gross  in  sight.  Adjoin- 
ing this  mine  are  a number  of  others  opening  up  a continuation  of  the  vein, 
and  calculated  to  disclose  over  3,000,000  tons  of  ore,  averaging  about  ten 
ounces  in  silver  per  ton,  25  per  cent,  of  lead,  and  about  20  per  cent,  iu  zinc. 
The  Maid  of  Erin  Mine,  in  the  same  district,  shows  an  ore  body  several  hun- 
dred feet  wide,  of  great  thickness,  and  extending  through  a number  of 
adjoining  claims,  and  which,  it  is  estimated,  wi'l  yield  not  less  than 
$5,000,000. 

Among  the  extraordinarily  large  productions  made  in  the  past  may  be 
mentioned  the  output  of  the  Robert  E.  Lee  some  years  ago,  when  $11S,500 
worth  of  ore  was  produced  in  seventeen  hours.  The  large  shippers  at  the 
present  time  are  very  numerous,  and  not  a few  mines  send  to  the  smelters 
of  the  State  from  100  to  300  tons  of  rich  ore  daily. 

Some  enormous  profits  are  realized  from  the  working  of  Colorado  mines. 

The  more  productive  properties,  however,  are  not  listed  stock  companies, 
and  consequently  the  public  know  little  of  the  net  earnings  of  mines.  Gov- 
ernor Tabor’s  Matchless  Mine  has  yielded  him  over  $1,000,000;  the  Small 
Hopes  Mine  paid  over  $3,000,000  in  dividends  in  two  years,  and  not  a few 
mines  have  paid  from  $750,000  to  $2,500,000,  and  are  still  yielding  hand- 
some returns. 

ADVANTAGES  OF  RAILROADS  AND  SMELTERS. 

The  great  success  of  Colorado  mines  and  the  rapid  development  of  the 
mineral  resources  of  the  State  are  attributed  largely  to  the  great  number  of 
railroads  in  operation  in  the  State.  The  Union  Pacific,  as  well  as  other 
companies,  have  lines  running  into  almost  every  mining  district  in  the  State, 
and  ores  are  transported  at  a minimum  rate.  This  system  prevents  the  pool- 
ing of  issues  between  local  production  works,  and  brings  the  output  of  the 
mines  into  the  markets  of  the  State,  giving  the  miner  the  advantage  of 
strong  competition.  It  obviates  the  necessity  of  building  smelting  or  milling 
works  for  individual  mines,  and  insures  better  prices  and  lower  smelting 
charges  by  enabling  works  to  secure  the  necessary  mixtures  of  ore  for  cheap 
and  rapid  reduction. 

The  smelters  of  Colorado  lead  the  world  in  the  efficiency  and  thorough- 
ness of  work.  There  are  now  in  the  State  smelters  with  furnaces  in  blast, 
averaging  at  least  forty  tons  a day  per  furnace.  These  smelters  purchase  the 
ore  they  reduce  outright,  paying  New  York  quotations  for  silver,  and  the 
highest  prices  possible  for  lead  and  copper.  By  this  method  of  doing  busi- 
ness the  miner  is  enabled  to  realize  on  his  product  a few  days  after  it  is 
shipped,  and  no  delays  or  risks  are  known. 

Throughout  the  State  there  are  a lumber  of  sampling  works,  which  de- 
termine the  gold,  silver,  lead  and  copper  contents  of  ores,  and  then  offer 
them  to  the  smelters.  The  ores  are  always  sold  to  the  highest  bidder  among 
the  smelters,  and  in  this  way  very  good  prices  are  generally  obtained. 

In  addition  to  the  smelters  there  are  a great  number  of  quartz  mills,  and 
at  least  1200  stamps  are  continually  dropping  on  silver  and  gold-bearing 
rock,  resulting  in  very  large  yields  of  fine  bullion. 

GOLD  PLACER  MINING. 

In  the  early  days  of  mining  in  this  Sate  operations  were  confined  entirely 
to  placers  and  the  shovel;  the  gold  pan  and  the  sluice  box  were  the  only 
equipments  necessary.  It  was  the  simplest,  most  profitable  and  most  direct 


COLORADO. 


o5 


'way  of  securing  a valuable  metal.  Nearly  $30,000,000  were  secured  from 
the  gulches  of  this  State  during  the  first  ten  years  of  work,  and  many  valu- 
able placers  were  subsequently  abandoned  to  work  less  valuable  lodes.  Later 
pn  the  craze  for  deposit  mining  set  in,  and  placers  were  again  neglected;  but 
in  the  past  few  years  this  character  of  mining  has  been  more  justly  appre- 
ciated, and  considerable  successful  placer  mining  is  now  in  progress  in  this 
State.  Park  and  Summit  counties  contain  endless  acres  of  valuable  placer 
ground,  and  the  gulch  mines  about  Alma,  Fair  Play  and  Breckenridge  have 
annually  shipped  their  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars’  worth  of  gold  dust 
to  the  Denver  branch  mint.  In  Lake  and  Chaffee  counties  are  the  Twin 
Lakes  and  Cache  Creek  Mines,  operated  by  an  English  company  at  large 
profits. 

In  the  southwestern  part  of  the  State  placer  mining  is  still  in  its  infancy, 
although  the  stream  beds  and  contiguous  bars  are  known  to  be  very  rich. 
Among  the  most  extensive  and  richest  auriferous  bars  are  those  along  the 
■San  Miguel. river,  which  have  but  recently  attracted  attention,  but  are  now 
being  improved  with  the  view  to  extensive  working  in  the  near  future.  The 
San  Miguel  Gold  Placers  Co.  is  spending  several  hundred  thousand  dollars 
in  miles  of  ditches,  48-inch  steel  pipe  lines  and  large  giants  preparatory  to 
working  about  eight  miles  of  the  richest  bars  ever  discovered  in  North 
America.  Other  companies  are  also  engaged  in  the  same  district  in  making 
judicious  improvements,  while  some  are  already  at  work  and  are  securing 
most  satisfactory  returns. 

PRESENT  AND  FUTURE  OPPORTUNITIES. 

While  many  good  mines  have  been  found  and  opened  in  this  State,  the 
resources  of  Colorado  are  by  no  means  exhausted,  nor  all  the  valuable  min- 
eral deposits  taken  up.  For  the  prospector  the  State  still  presents  the  finest 
field  known  in  the  wide  world,  as  is  fully  proven  by  the  new  discoveries 
made  daily,  and  the  constant. sales  of  prospect  properties  at  large  figures  to 
mining  companies.  Not  only  are  the  chances  of  finding  good  veins  better  than 
in  the  majority  of  States,  but  properties  can  be  disposed  of  with  greater  ease, 
and  the  prospector  with  a promising  lode  need  never  search  long  for  a buyer 
or  capitalist  who  is  willing  to  advance  the  funds  necessary  for  the  develop- 
ment of  a good  vein. 

For  parties  with  means  desiring  to  engage  in  mining,  or  wishing  to  secure 
mines  to  place  in  the  Eastern  market,  no  better  section  can  be  found  than 
Colorado.  Good  mines  abound  almost  everywhere  that  can  be  had  at  rea- 
sonable figures;  not  mere  holes  in  the  ground,  but  shafts,  showing  profitable 
streaks  of  ore  of  good  grade.  In  addition  to  being  meritorious,  they  gen- 
erally possess  the  advantage  of  being  near  railroads,  and  with  the  prevailing 
low  freight  rates  and  exceptionally  good  ore  markets  of  Denver,  properties 
that  would  prove  valueless  in  many  portions  of  the  country  yield  handsome 
profits  here.  Ore  in  Colorado  is  as  much  of  a commodity  as  wheat  or  corn 
in  Kansas,  and  there  is  no  more  need  of  a miner  operating  his  own  smelter 
or  mill  than  there  is  of  a farmer  reducing  his  wheat  to  flour  or  corn  to  meal. 

There  are  in  this  State,  also,  a number  of  districts  not  yet  provided  with 
railroads.  Many  of  these  insure  to  the  investors  at  the  present  time  good 
returns  with  the  advent  of  a road.  There  are  not  a few  opportunities  of  this 
character  which  are  destined  to  enrich  those  who  take  advantage  of  them 
in  time. 

The  future  of  Colorado  as  a mining  State  is  now  assured  beyond  perad- 
venture.  Order  has  been  brought  out  of  chaos,  metallurgical  science  has 
revolutionized  the  primitive  methods  formerly  employed  in  the  extraction 
of  precious  metals,  and  has  enabled  heretofore  worthless  ores  to  be  worked 
at  good  profits.  A transformation  has  taken  place,  incidentally  to  the  intro- 
duction of  large  hoisting  and  reduction  plants  and  railway  shipping  facilities 


36 


COLORADO. 


and  local  tramways.  Ores  are  mined  at  an  expense  of  cents  where  it  for- 
merly cost  dollars,  and  are  transported  for  a song  where  in  the  past  the  ex- 
pense was  often  equal  to  the  gross  value  of  the  product.  The  industry  has- 
assumed  a practical,  rather  than  a speculative  character,  as  is  shown  by  the 
large  annual  yield,  and  it  is  beginning  to  be  recognized  as  an  honorable, 
legitimate  pursuit,  rather  than  one  of  chance  and  great  risk.  The  wealthiest 
manufacturers,  bankers  and  capitalists  of  Colorado  are  men  who  amassed 
their  fortunes  at  mining,  and  who  are  making  fortunes  out  of  it,  and  are  the 
moving  spirits  in  all  great  enterprises.  The  industry  is  no  longer  regarded 
as  one  affording  a precarious  sustenance  to  a horde  of  nomadic  adventurers, 
but  as  the  life  and  support  of  a million  people,  and  the  backing  of  the  great 
transcontinental  railway  lines.  It  has  built  cities  in  the  mountains  and  on 
the  plains;  has  developed  the  coal  and  iron  resources  of  the  State;  led  to  the 
establishment  of  manufactories  and  brought  prosperity  to  the  farmer  and 
ranchman  of  Colorado,  Kansas  and  Nebraska.  It  has  enabled  this  country 
to  discharge  its  obligations  in  coin,  has  helped  our  people  to  a firm  financial 
basis,  and  benefited  the  whole  world  in  innumerable  ways. 


COAL  AND  OIL. 

The  most  candid  statement  that  could  now  be  made  concerning  Colorado’s- 
supply  of  coal  would  seem  an  enormous  exaggeration.  Comparison  with 
other  States  of  the  Union  is  out  of  question,  in  view  of  the  constant  new 
discoveries.  By  scientific  explorers  it  is  said  that  there  is  a supply  for  all 
the  United  States  and  Territories  for  a century.  A reputable  geologist  says 
that  if  all  the  coal  veins  underlying  Colorado  were  spread  in  adayer  upon 
the  surface  they  would  form  a carpet  three  and  a-half  feet  thick,  covering 
the  entire  State.  Official  geological  surveys  in  the  past  few  years  give  a 
coal-bearing  strata  of  30,000  square  miles.  But  there  have  been  many 
recent  discoveries  so  enormous  in  their  nature  that  the  State  Inspector  of 
Coal  Mines  declares  the  area  to  be  not  less  than  40,000  square  miles — over 
one-third  of  the  entire  area  of  the  State. 

To  dwell  upon  the  grand  purpose  of  nature  in  placing  this  great  supply 
of  fuel  here  would  be  little  less  than  an  attempt  to  fathom  the  reason  why 
the  Creator  has  reserved  through  all  the  ages  until  this  day  the  advance- 
ment of  civilization  into  this  great  wealth-stored  country.  It  is  easy  to- 
comprehend  one  fact,  however,  which  is  recorded  in  the  history  of  man  in 
all  ages  of  the  world — that  the  discovery  of  these  supplies  of  Providence  are 
made  only  at  the  time  when  they  are  needed  for  present 'use  or  for  the 
apparent  requirements  of  the  future.  The  lesson  is,  that  this  enormous  fuel 
supply  is  not  only  provided  for  the  ages  to  come,  but  that  it  may  perform 
its  part  in  meeting  the  requirements  of  a numerous  people  in  the  near 
future — a great  industrial  population  that  is  abundantly  provided  for  in  all 
the  other  natural  resources  of  the  State. 

As  to  the  location  of  this  coal,  it  is  not  everywhere,  but  it  is  found  in 
every  quarter  of  the  State;  from  the  foot-hills  far  out  upon  the  plains  to  the 
east;  in  the  middle  counties  of  the  mountains,  and  in  the  valleys,  and  upon 
the  mesas  of  the  western  side  of  the  range. 

There  is  one  fact  more  conspicuous  than  all  else,  except  the  abundance 
of  the  coal  supply  itself,  and  that  is.  these  coal  strata,  whether  upon  mountain 
or  plain,  are  to  be  found  invariably  within  easy  reach  of  every  town  and 
city,  and  often  at  the  very  door  of  the  farmer,  who  is  away  from  timber  upon 
the  mesa  or  the  plains. 

There  has  been  a steady  increase  in  the  coal  product  of  the  State  since 
1873,  when  the  first  record  was  kept.  Each  year  shows  a marked  advance 
in  the  number  of  tons,  save  1884,  when  there  was  a slight  decrease,  caused 
by  extended  strikes  during  a portion  of  that  year.  The  following  table  shows; 
the  coal  product  of  the  State  from  1873  to  1897,  inclusive: 


COLORADO.  37 


Tear. 

Tons. 

Tear. 

Tons. 

Year. 

Tons. 

1873 

69.977 

1882 

1.061,479 

1891 

3,358.496 

1874 

87.372 

1883 

1,229,593 

1892 

3,771.234 

1875 

98.S38 

1884 

1,130,024 

1893 

3,947.056 

1876 

117.666 

1885 

1,398,796 

1894 

3,021,028 

1877 

160,000 

18S6 

1,436,211 

1895 

3,339,495 

1878 

200,630 

18S7 

1,791,735 

1896 

3,371,633 

1879 

322,732 

1888 

2,185,477 

1897 

3,565,660 

1880 

375.000 

1889 

2.373,954 

1881 

706,744 

1S90 

3,075,7S1 

PETROLEUM. 

Evidences  of  petroleum  are  found  in  several  sections  of  the  State,  but  the 
■only  developed  field  is  at  Florence,  in  Fremont  county.  The  first  well  was 
bored  in  1883.  For  a number  of  years  prior  to  that  time  “oil  springs”  had 
been  worked  in  a small  way  for  local  consumption.  More  extended  opera- 
tions were  instituted  in  1887,  and  from  that  time  until  the  present  the  pro- 
duction has  gradually  increased. 

There  are  three  companies  in  operation  and  two  refineries,  with  a com- 
bined capacity  of  2000  barrels  per  day.  The  crude  oil  yields  about  35  per 
"Cent,  of  illuminants  and  occurs  in  a shale  bed  of  unknown  thickness,  appar- 
ently in  reservoirs  at  depths  ranging  from  1100  to  2400  feet.  The  pressure 
In  none  of  the  wells  is  sufficient  to  bring  the  oil  to  the  surface  and  pumping 
in  all  cases  is  necessary. 

The  residue  of  the  refined  pi'oduct  is  partially  made  into  lubricants,  but 
the  present  demand  for  it  for  steam-making  purposes  is  in  excess  of  the 
supply. 

About  ten  square  miles  of  territory  have  been  developed,  and  thirty-five 
wells  are  producing  at  the  present  time,  employing  an  average  of  100  men. 
The  production  for  1897  was  650,000  barrels  (forty-two  gallons),  which  will 
probably  be  increased  by  the  new  wells  now  sinking.  There  are  a number  of 
wells  producing  gas  under  good  pressure  and  this  is  used  locally  for  domestic 
purposes. 

MANUFACTURING. 

It  cannot  be  said  that  Colorado  is  a manufacturing  State.  Its  industrial 
life  is  of  too  short  duration  to  expect  great  works  in  this  department.  Her 
abundant  advantages,  however,  in  mineral  resources  give  promise  of  great 
achievements  in  the  future  in  the  production  of  iron,  steel  and  lead  wares. 
Situated,  as  the  State  is,  in  the  center  of  a great  wool-growing  country,  and 
within  easy  communication  with  the  timbers  and  cotton  fields  of  the  South, 
it  is  predicted  by  those  whose  prophecies  have  more  than  come  to  pass 
concerning  other  great  developments,  that  there  will  in  due  time  be  woolen 
mills,  cotton  mills  and  furniture  factories  in  all  important  towns  of  the  State. 
With  the  exception  of  the  numerous  smelters  at  various  points,  Denver  and 
Pueblo  are  the  only  places  where  manufacturing  is  carried  on  to  any  con- 
siderable extent,  and  the  importance  of  the  works  of  these  two  cities  is  not  a 
little  surprising. 

All  in  all,  Denver  has,  from  the  greatest  to  the  least,  315  establishments 
that  are  classed  as  manufactories.  Principal  among  these  are  brass  works, 
building  materials,  carriages,  wagons  and  street  cars,  fire-clay  wares,  lead 
works,  flouring  mills,  foundry  and  machine  shops,  making  engines,  boilers, 
and  all  descriptions  of  mining  machinery,  furniture,  iron  works,  pickles  and 
vinegar,  tin,  sheet  iron  and  copper  works. 

The  Pueblo  Manufacturing  & Smelting  Co.  produces,  in  large  volume, 
lead  pipes,  sheet  lead  and  lead  bullion. 


COLORADO. 


Trinidad,  the  representative  city  of  Southern  Colorado,  in  Las  Animas 
county,  is  surrounded  by  immense  beds  of  iron,  coal  and  all  other  natural 
resources  that  insure  it  as  a future  manufacturing  point  of  importance.  A 
large  rolling  mill  has  been  erected,  the  plant  of  which  cost  $100,000. 

The  city  of  Golden,  situated  at  the  foot-hills,  fifteen  miles  west  of  Den- 
ver. can  also  lay  claim  to  some  importance  for  its  glass  works  and  as  the 
manufacturer  of  pressed  brick,  fire-brick  and  other  fire-clay  articles. 

With  the  resources  at  hand,  and  the  facilities  of  railroad  and  water- 
power available,  there  is  no  limit  to  the  possibilities  of  manufacturing  in 
Colorado. 

COST  OF  LIVING  IN  COLORADO. 

Rent  in  the  larger  cities  is  about  the  most  extravagant  item  of  living  in 
Colorado.  This  is  an  evil  that  is  being  fast  remedied  by  the  widespread 
building  of  dwellings.  As  for  the  rest,  the  ample  facilities  afforded  by  the  rail- 
ways and  the  recent  great  increase  in  the  home  supply  from  agriculture  and 
other  resources,  has  rendered  the  matter  of  living  a problem  of  no  greater 
difficulty  than  in  the  Eastern  States.  The  daily  market  basket,  it  is  true,  is- 
a.  little  more  costly,  but  this  is  compensated  in  the  fact  that  the  average  rate 
of  wages  is  higher.  A family  of  five  persons,  if  they  are  not  too  extravagant 
in  their  notions,  can  supply  the  table  (in  the  cities)  with  $10  a week.  Rent 
in  Denver — taking  it  as  the  representative  among  cities — ranges  from  $18  to 
$35  per  month  for  cottage  of  four  or  five  rooms,  according  to  location. 
Storied  dwellings  rent  from  $35  to  $75  for  family,  according  to  location. 
Hotel  rates,  according  to  their  classes  and  accommodations,  range  from  $25 
to  $50  and  $75  per  month;  table  board,  $5  to  $12  per  week.  Regular  meals 
can  be  obtained  at  restaurants  from  twenty-five  to  seventy-five  cents.  Table 
board  at  bording-houses  can  be  had — first-class,  $8  per  week;  second  class, 
$4.50  to  $5.  Board  and  room  at  boarding-houses  range  from  $7  to  $12  per 
week.  In  smaller  towns  in  or  near  agricultural  districts  the  prices  of  rents, 
table  board  and  market  stuffs  range  lower,  while  in  the  mountain  districts 
there  is  nearly  a correspondence  in  the  prices  with  those  of  the  cities. 

Of  course  the  figures  given  do  not  apply  in  all  respects  to  the  laboring 
classes,  whose  earnings  are  irregular  and  limited  to  the  legal  rate  of  $1.75 
per  day,  with  a possible  $2  per  diem.  They  necessarily  pay  less  rent,  and 
provide  more  economically  for  the  table,  without,  however,  necessarily 
stinting  themselves  or  their  families. 

In  this  connection  it  is  surprising  that  so. many  of  these  people,  as  well 
as  the  skilled  workmen,  clerks  and  other  wage  people,  in  all  the  towns  and 
cities,  have  homes  of  their  own.  This  is  one  important  fact  about  Colorado 
that  offers  great  encouragement  to  people  of  all  callings  to  come  to  this 
State.  The  opportunities  of  securing  a home  are  offered  to  all  who  come, 
and  to  the  man  of  occupation  and  enterprise  a home  in  Colorado  is  itself  a 
good  foundation  for  his  fortune. 

EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES. 

No  State  in  the  Union  possesses  better  educrtional  advantages  than  Colo- 
rado. In  the  conduct  of  the  schools,  whether  in  the  city,  town,  hamlet  or 
country  district,  the  people  of  the  State  manifest  a deep  interest  and  peculiar 
pride  in  the  education  of  their  children.  If  there  is  a reason  that  can  be 
added  to  the  common  interest  of  humanity  in  the  welfare  of  their  offspring, 
it  is  in  the  fact  that  the  civilization  of  Colorado  is  an  aggregate  of  wealth, 
refinement  and  intelligence,  representative  not  only  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  but  from  all  parts  of  the  world. 

There  are  two  features  which  bespeak  the  liberality  of  educational  advan- 
tages: First,  the  excellence  of  the  school  buildings;  second,  the  fact  that 


COLORADO. 


39 


these  buildings  exist  in  every  community  wherever  ihere  can  be  found  chil- 
dren in  a sufficient  number  to  make  a class,  and  everywhere  the  buildings  are 
made  to  suit  all  requirements. 

The  organization  and  system  of  public  schools  are  as  follows: 

Officers— State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  State  Board  of 
Education,  County  Superintendents,  District  Boards. 

System — Ungraded  district  schools,  town  and  city  graded  schools,  high- 
school  courses. 

Institutions — State  University,  at  Boulder;  School  of  Mines,  at  Golden; 
Agricultural  College,  at  Fort  Collins;  Mute  and  Blind  Institute,  at  Colorado 
Springs;  State  Industrial  School. 

Associations — Local  Institutes,  State  Teachers’  Associations,  County 
Teachers’  Associations. 

School  age  is  between  six  and  twenty-one  years. 

To  the  wise  provisions  made  by  the  State  is  mainly  due  the  excellence 
of  school  advantages  and  the  abundance  of  facilities.  Besides  the  annual 
per  capita  tax,  the  State  owns  about  3,000.000  acres  of  school  lands,  from 
which  there  is  an  annual  income  by  sales  and  leases.  Hence  there  is  nothing 
lacking  in  the  matter  of  finances  to  meet  every  requirement  of  the  present 
and  anticipated  necessities  of  the  future.  Nothing  can  be  more  convincing 
of  this  fact  than  the  splendid  architectural  features  of  the  school  buildings, 
of  which  Denver,  especially,  furnishes  a pleasing  example.  It  is  a surprising 
fact  that  the  new  high-school  building  in  Denver,  now  nearing  completion,  is 
the  largest  in  the  United  States,  excepting  only  the  high  school  at  Boston, 
and  in  the  points  of  grandeur,  beauty  and  thoroughness  of  appointment,  is 
said  not  to  be  surpassed  by  any  school  building  on  the  continent. 

The  common  schools  comprise  eight  grades,  and  the  high-school  system 
comprises  four  courses  of  one  year  each.  The  teachers  are  admitted  upon 
a high  degree  of  merit,  and  the  pupils  pass  under  them  after  the  most 
searching  and  thorough  examination. 

WHAT  THE  REPORT  OF  MRS.  PATTON-COWLES  SHOWS  FOR 

1S97  AND  1S9S. 

The  appended  statement  prepared  by  Mrs.  Patton-Cowles  indicates  that 
during  the  final  year  of  her  incumbency  in  the  office  of  State  Superintendent 
of  Schools  there  has  been  an  increase  of  nearly  5000  scholars.  There  has 
been  a corresponding  increase  in  the  number  of  teachers  employed  in  the 
State.  While  the  receipts  have  increased  appreciably  the  assessed  valuation 
of  school  property  has  decreased  in  the  last  year. 

The  comparison  between  the  two. years  is  as  follows: 


1S97. 

School  population 130,362 

Total  enrollment 100,882 

Normal  school 367 

Teachers  •• 3.120 

State  funds  apportioned $S9,664  67 

SCHOOL  BUILDINGS. 

Sod,  adobe  or  log..... 338 

Frame 1.066 

Brick  or  stone 346 


Total  - 1,690 

Number  of  schoolrooms 2,962 

Valuation  of  school  buildings $6,093,304  00 

Receipts  2,775,117  77 

Expended  for  teachers’  salaries 1,355,470  28 

Assessed  valuation 200.356,028  00 


40 


COLORADO. 


1898. 


School  population 135,007 

Total  enrollment 104.733 

Normal  school 502 

Teachers  3,306 


Average  attendance,  95  per  cent. 

SCHOOL  BUILDINGS. 


Sod,  adobe  or  log 371 

Frame  964 

Brick  or  stone 369 


Total  1,704 

Number  of  schoolrooms 3,053 

Valuation  of  school  buildings $5,987,702  78 

Receipts  3,420,173  33 

Expended  for  teachers’  salaries 1,46S,694  91 

Assessed  valuation 192,263,085  00 


RAILROAD  LANDS. 

The  Union  Pacific  Land  Co.  has  2,054,000  acres  of  land  in  Eastern  Colo- 
rado, which  is  unexcelled  in  any  portion  of  the  West  for  grazing  purposes. 
The  price  ranges  from  seventy-five  cents  to  $2.50  per  acre. 

The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  Co.  has  375,000  acres  within  the  land-grant 
belt,  north  of  Denver,  a large  portion  of  which  is  under  constructed  irriga- 
tion ditches,  the  balance  grazing  lands.  That  which  can  be  cultivated  range 
in  price  from  $5  to  $15  per  acre;  the  grazing  land  from  $1.50  to  $2.50  per 
acre.  Those  desiring  information  regarding  either  of  these  tracts  should 
write  to  B.  A.  McAllaster,  land  commissioner,  Union  Pacific  Railroad, 
Omaha,  Neb.,  or  S.  .T.  Gilmore,  1756  Larimer  street,  Denver,  Col.,  regarding 
farm  lands,  or  C.  E.  Wantland,  1025  Seventeenth  street,  Denver,  special 
agent  for  the  sale  of  grazing  lands. 

The  peculiar  adaptability  of  this  section  of  the  country  for  stock-raising 
is  so  well  known  that  extended  comments  are  unnecessary.  Being  located 
east  of  the  Rockies,  no  severe  winters  are  experienced,  and  the  climate  is 
healthful  and  invigorating;  very  little,  if  any,  snow  falls  during  the  winter 
months,  and  cattle  are  able  to  graze  the  whole  year  round.  The  plain  is 
covered  with  Buffalo  grass,  which  is  very  nutritions  and  cures  standing  on 
the  ground.  Abundance  of  water  can  be  had  at  all  times,  besides,  it  is  ad- 
jacent to  the  great  grain-producing  State  of  Kansas,  and  is  only  a few  hours’ 
journey  by  rail  from  the  leading  stock  markets  of  the  United  States.  The 
stock-raising  industry  has  always  been  a leading  feature  in  the  West,  the 
past  year  exceptionally  so,  on  account  of  the  recent  war.  It  insures  larger 
returns,  in  proportion  to  the  amount  invested,  in  comparison  with  almost  any 
other,  and  the  only  advice  that  can  be  given  those  contemplating  an  occupa- 
tion of  this  kind  is  to  select  a range  without  unnecessary  delay,  while  the 
price  remains  as  it  is. 

The  companies  referred  to  sell  on  ten  years’  time,  one-tenth  at  time  of 
purchase,  the  second  year  interest  only  on  the  deferred  amount  at  6 per  cent., 
and  each  year  thereafter  one-tentli  with  the  accrued  interest. 


COLORADO. 


41 


GOVERNMENT  LANDS. 

There  are  nine  land  districts  in  Colorado.  Practically,  these  districts  are 
•divided  into  tvro  departments — agricultural  and  mineral  lands;  for  so  far  as 
actual  settlement  is  concerned,  homestead  and  timber-claim  pre-emptions 
mean  one  and  the  same  thing.  The  price  of  the  land,  the  nature  and  the  use 
that  is  made  of  it  are  the  same,  the  only  difference  being  in  the  conditions  by 
which  it  is  acquired.  This  is  true  because  the  actual  timber  land  of  Colo- 
rado belongs  almost  wholly  to  the  mineral  department. 

As  to  the  homestead,  the  law  of  actual  habitation,  cultivation  and  im- 
provement work  is  universal  and  familiar  to  e\ery  farmer. 

The  nine  land  districts  are  the  Denver,  Pueblo,  Lamar,  Central  City, 
Gunnison,  Montrose,  Del  Norte,  Leadville  and  Durango  Districts.  Those 
that  are  principally  homestead  districts  are  Denver,  Pueblo,  Lamar,  Mont- 
rose and  Durango.  The  Denver,  Pueblo  and  Lamar  Districts  comprise  all 
the  plains  portions  of  the  State,  embracing  at  least  three-fourths  of  all  the 
agricultural  area  of  Colorado. 

The  Montrose  District  is  principally  agricultural,  embracing  the  three 
agricultural  counties  of  Montrose,  Mesa  and  Delta. 

The  Gunnison  District  is  mostly  mineral;  the  Del  Norte  and  Durango 
Districts  are  about  equally  divided  between  mineral  and  agricultural  lands, 
and  the  Leadville  and  Central  City  Districts  comprise  almost  exclusively 
mineral  lands. 

The  Denver.  Pueblo  and  Lamar  Districts,  while  covering  an  agricultural 
area  almost  in  their  entirety,  also  include  a vast  area  of  mineral  ground  upon 
the  same  surface;  for  nearly  one-half — more  than  one-third  of  all  the  plains 
lands — are  designated  as  coal  lands,  and  many  of  the  coal  mines  of  the  State 
are  worked  underneath  a homestead  location.  This  is  a technicality,  how- 
ever, which  thus  far  has  worked  but  little,  if  any,  inconvenience. 

The  Pueblo  and  Lamar  Districts  together  contain  nearly  an  equal  area 
to  that  of  the  Denver  District,  and  there  are  probably  as  many  unoccupied 
acres  in  the  former  as  the  latter,  inasmuch  as  it  is  estimated  that  there  are 
about  10.000,000  acres  of  unclaimed  agricultural  or  plains  land  on  the  eastern 
side-of  the  mountains. 

The  Lamar  District,  comprising  the  most  of  Bent  and  the  eastern  half 
of  Las  Animas  county,  was,  prior  to  18S7,  a part  of  the  Pueblo  District. 
The  Lamar  land  office  shows  that  up  to  the  close  of  1889  over  2,000,000  acres 
of  land  in  Eastern  Colorado,  in  the  Aikansas  Valley,  were  entered  upon  by 
actual  settlers,  showing  that  there  is  unlimited  confidence  in  the  early  future 
of  this  portion  of  the  State  as  an  agricultural  district.  However,  it  is  not  a 
matter  of  confidence;  the  facts  of  a wonderful  yield  of  the  soil  from  year  to 
year  bear  the  best  possible  testimony. 

From  the  rest  of  the  land  districts  the  reports  of  agricultural  entries  are 
-small,  the  lands  filed  upon  in  these  being  mostly  mineral,  except  in  the  Del 
Norte  District,  which  comprises  the  San  Luis  Valley.  This  entire  valley  is 
being  settled  by  an  agricultural  people  as  fast  as  irrigating  ditches  can  be 
provided. 

TIMBER  AND  TREE  CULTURE. 

There  are  five  government  forest  reserves  in  the  State  of  Colorado: 

The  White.  River  Plateau  reserve  contains  an  estimated  area  in  acres 
of  1.198,0S0.  This  reservation  is  situated  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
•State,  in  Route,  Rio  Blanco  and  Eagle  counties. 

The  Pike’s  Peak  reserve  has  an  estimated  area  in  acres  of  184,320.  This 
l'eservation  is  situated  in  El  Paso  county. 


42 


COLORADO. 


Plum  Creek  reserve  has  an  estimated  area  in  acres  of  179,200.  It  is  situ- 
ated in  Douglas  county. 

The  South  Platte  reserve  has  an  estimated  area  in  acres  of  683,520,  and 
is  situated  in  Lake,  Jefferson  and  Park  counties. 

The  Battlement  Mesa  reserve  has  an  estimated  area,  in  acres  of  858,240, 
and  is  situated  in  Garfield  and  Mesa  counties,  with  a small  portion  in  Pitkin 
and  Delta  counties. 

All  of  these  reservations  possess  large  and  heavy  bodies  of  timber.  The 
timber  is  spruce,  aspen,  maple,  oak,  elder,  birch  and  mountain  ash;  also  pos- 
sessing large  quantities  of  small  growth  of  sargas  berry,  gooseberry,  currants 
and  raspberry.  The  parks,  which  are  small  and  numerous  in  these  reserva- 
tions, are  covered  with  a heavy  vegetation. 

All  of  these  reservations  contain  the  sources  of  numerous  streams  within 
this  State  that  feed  the  larger  streams  and  reservoirs,  thus  furnishing  the 
necessary  water  for  irrigating  purposes. 

The  Battlement  Mesa  reserve  and  the  White  River  reserve  are  filled  with 
the  game  of  this  State,  such  as  elk,  deer,  mountain  sheep,  bear,  together  with 
the  smaller  game.  Also,  these  reservations  are  the  home  of  the  trout.  These 
reservations  are  much  sought  by  the  sportsmen  of  the  different  States  of  the 
entire  country. 

Aside  from  these  reservations,  which  are  under  the  management  of  a 
graded  force  of  government  officers  for  their  protection  against  fires  and 
timber  trespassers,  there  are  other  heavy  bodies  of  timber  in  the  western 
and  southwestern  and  northern  portions  of  the  State. 


GEOGRAPHY. 

Colorado  is  situated  between  latitude  37°  and  41°  north,  and  longitude 
102°  and  109°  west.  Its  average  length  east  and  west  is  380  miles;  its 
breadth  north  and  south,  280  miles.  The  State  is  divided  into  fifty-six 
counties.  A glance  at  a map  of  the  United  States  shows  its  advantageous 
location.  It  occupies  the  central  field  of  travel  and  traffic  between  the 
Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans,  east  and  west,  and  between  Mexico  and  British 
America,  north  and  south. 


COLORADO  CONDENSED. 

It  is  twenty-two  years  old  as  a State. 

Its  area  is  104,500  square  miles. 

It  is  located  in  the  center  of  the  great  Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  West. 

It  is  the  leading  mining  State  in  the  Union. 

It  is  a great  stock  producer. 

It  is  becoming  one  of  the  finest  agricultural  States  in  the  West. 

It  has  the  most  agreeable  climate  to  be  found  on  the  continent. 

It  is  a vast  health  resort,  the  climate  in  eVery  part  being  beneficial  to- 
invalids,  especially  those  affected  with  lung  diseases. 

The  soils  are  everywhere  rich,  and  successful  farming  is  carried  on  upon 
the  plains  wherever  water  can  be  obtained,  and  in  the  mountain  valleys  at 
an  altitude  of  S000  feet. 

The  timbers  growing  on  the  mountains  are  abundant,  and  comprise  the 
varieties  that  are  useful  in  building. 

Colorado  has  all  the  natural  resources,  water-power  and  capabilities  for 
extensive  manufacturing. 


COLORADO. 


43 


A flood  of  farming  immigrants  is  pouring  into  the  State,  and  settlements 
are  being  so  rapidly  made  that  the  land  offices  are  incapable  of  performing 
the  current  clerical  work. 

The  tendency  of  stock-raising  is  toward  thoroughbred  animals. 

Colorado  is  the  center  of  the  great  wool-growing  West. 

Colorado  is  abundantly  supplied  with  natural  parks,  water-courses  and 
mineral  springs  of  the  finest  medicinal  qualities. 

It  has  some  of  the  most  charming  health  and  pleasure  resorts  in  the  world. 

Within  the  past  few  years  it  has  become  an  oil  producer. 

Petroleum  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  State. 

The  only  developed  field  produces  sufficient  oil  to  supply  the  State  of  Colo- 
rado and  the  Territories  of  Utah  and  New  Mexico. 

The  coal  strata  underlying  Colorado  is  estimated  at  an  area  of  40,000 
square  miles. 

All  kinds  of  fruits  grow  successfully  in  Colorado,  and  orchards  and  vine- 
yards are  found  in  all  agricultural  sections. 

Six  trunk  lines  of  railway,  with  their  numerous  branches,  traverse  the 
State. 

The  average  number  of  cloudy  days  in  Colorado  is  fifty-six  a year. 

All  the  cereals  and  vegetables  grow  abundantly  in  Colorado. 

Wheat,  alfalfa  and  potatoes  are  the  most  profitable  as  well  as  the  most 
prolific  products. 

There  is  no  better  fruit  country  anywhere  than  Colorado,  nor  any  in 
which  a more  varied  assortment  may  be  grown  or  fruit  of  better  quality. 

Alfalfa  yields  from  three  to  six  tons  per  acre,  dry  in  the  stack. 

The  total  assessment  valuations  for  Colorado  in  1S90  was  $220,544,064.62; 
in  1891,  $231,405,296:  in  1892,  $236,884,449. 

Artesian  wells  of  chemically  pure  and  also  of  mineral  waters  are  found 
on  the  plains.  Denver  alone  has  over  two  hundred  of  these  wells. 

The  number  of  miles  of  railway  within  the  State  is  4368. 

The  production  of  gold  and  silver  from  Colorado  mines  in  1S97  was 
$32,272,085. 

Colorado  school  facilities  are  equal  to  those  of  any  State  in  the  Union. 

The  total  arable  land  in  Colorado,  accessible  to  water,  is  54,000  square 
miles,  or  34,560,000  acres. 

Colorado  possesses  enough  building  stone,  of  the  finest  assortment,  to 
supply  all  the  West. 


COLORADO  BY  COUNTIES. 

Colorado  has  steadily  progressed  in  her  development  during  1897.  A sub- 
stantial increase  in  valuation  is  shown  by  the  assessors’  returns.  Capital  has 
been  more  strongly  attracted  toward  the  State’s  resources  than  ever  before. 
Railroad  construction  has  entered  new  sections. 


VALUATION  BY  COUNTIES. 

The  following  table  shows  the  assessment  of  each  county,  with  increase 
and  decrease,  for  1897  and  1898: 


44 


COLORADO. 


Counties.  1897.  1898.  Increase. 

Arapahoe $79,271.9S5  $69,299,542  

Archuleta  42S.829  426,591  

Baca  254,382  252,410  

Bent  929,580  899,819  

Boulder  4,994,934  5,384,312  $389,378 

Chaffee 2,214,942  2,200,920  

Cheyenne  1,133,075  1,046,771  . 

Clear  Creek 2,156,068  2,122,922  

Conejos  . 1,833,474  1,751,819  

Costilla 1,248,401  1,230,545  

Custer 633,135  625,474  

Delta  1,005,534  1,109,055  103,521 

Dolores 542,223  466,284  

Douglas  1,811,608  1,853,256  41,648 

Eagle  1,105,692  1,173,331  67,639 

Elbert 1,776,871  1,857,856  80,985 

El  Paso 14,097,120  15,564,130  1,467,010 

Fremont  3,957,746  4.143,108  185,362 

Garfield  2,176,877  2,082,539  

Gilpin  1,805,209  1,910,479  105,270 

Grand  315,425  307,747  

Gunnison  1,849,078  1,919,072  69,994 

Hinsdale  520,011  430,635  

Huerfano  1,665.144  1.696,870  31,726 

' Jefferson  4,008,504  3.996,205  

Kiowa . 1,063,406  1,092,204  28,798 

Kit  Carson  898.479  933,990  35,511 

Lake  3.874,738  3,914,679  39,941 

La  Plata  2,334,877  2,245,480  

Larimer  4,211,449  4,374,026  162,577 

Las  Animas  5,870,515  5,259,824  

Lincoln 1,353,331  1,260,572  

Logan  1,499,209  1,518,774  19,565 

Mesa  2,304,523  2,291,093  

Mineral 305,129  494,561  189,432 

Montrose  1,255,478  1,153,867  

Montezuma  729,374  714,041  

Morgan  1,073,369  1,302,353  228,984 

Ouray  1.085,685  1,162,265  76,580 

Park  1,619,035  1,544,153  

Phillips  651,883  659,561  7,678 

Pitkin  2,532,940  2,387,015  

Prowers 1,351,023  1,348,235  

Pueblo  12,372,538  13,055,150  682,612 

Rio  Blanco  673,668  771,044  97,376 

Rio  Grande  1,598,545  1,578,464  

Routt  1,105,023  1,240,578  135,555 

Saguache  1,930,062  1,996,977  66,915 

San  Juan  1,381,653  1,365,387  

San  Miguel  1,314,042  1,312,5S6  

Sedgwick  689,423  664,971  

Summit  967,614  953,372  

Washington  749,848  741,778  

Weld  7,489,540  7,771,638  282,098 

Yuma  881,229  907,074  25,845 


Total  $199,324,940  $192,243,080  $4,676,201 


Total  decrease,  $7,081,860. 


Decrease. 

$9,972,443 

2,238 

1,972 

29,761 


14,022 

86,304 

33,146 

81,655 

17,856 

7,661 


75,939 


94,338 


7,678 


89,376 


12,299 


89,397 


610,681 

92,759 


13,430 


101,611 

15,333 


74,882 


145,925 

2.7S8 


20,081 


16,266 

1,456 

24,452 

14,242 

8,070 


$11,758,061 


COLORADO. 


45 


THE  COUNTIES. 

The  detailed  descriptions  of  counties  which  follow  are  extracted  from  the 
full  and  reliable  report  of  the  Denver  Board  of  Trade.  The  figures  quoted 
above  are  accurate  in  every  particular. 


ARAPAHOE. 


The  county  of  Arapahoe  was  organized  in  1S61,  and  its  inception 
occurred  among  all  the  stirring  episodes  o'f  pro-slavery  agitation.  When 
territorial  organization  began  Arapahoe  played  its  part,  and  the  opening 
chapters  of  the  State’s  history  were  enacted  on  its  soil.  The  story  of  those 
exciting  days  is  familiar  to  all.  It  is  not,  therefore,  with  the  past  that  these 
pages  have  to  do;  it  is  with  the  present  in  its  relation  with  the  State  at  large 
and  as  a factor  in  future  development.  'Arapahoe  county  extends  from 
within  a few  miles  of  the  foot-hills  on  the  west  to  the  Kansas  State  line, 
and  embraces  in  its  territory  some  of  the  vast  domain  upon  which  roved  in 
undisputed  possession  the  Indian  tribe  whose  name  the  county  bears.  It  is 
160  miles  long  and  thirty  miles  wide.  The  center  of  population  is  in  the 
western  end  of  the  county,  where  Denver  is  located,  and  where  the  county’s 
enormous  wealth  is  concentrated.  In  the  center  and  the  eastern  part  farming 
and  ranching  are  pursued,  and  the  soil  for  these  pursuits  is  of  the  richest 
kind.  The  Ariekaree,  Republican,  Box  Elder,  all  tributaries  to  the  Platte 
river,  enrich  these  vast  virgin  fields.  The  Platte  flows  through  the  western 
end,  and  has  no  part  in  the  cultivation  of  the  county  except  in  the  Platte 
Valley,  and  by  irrigation  from  the  vast  canals  which  capital  has  built  from 
the  canon  of  the  Platte  in  Douglas  county.  The  Kansas  Pacific  division  of 
the  Union  Pacific  is  the  only  line  of  railroad  that  extends  to  any  distance 
towards  the  center  of  Arapahoe  county.  Denver  is  the  county-seat,  as  it  is 
also  the  capital  of  the  State. 

It  has  155,000  population  alone,  and  because  of  its  size  and  commercial 
importance  it  in  a measure  overshadows  the  great  county  of  which  it  is  a 
contributory  part.  A sketch  of  Arapahoe  county  cannot  well  be  written 
without  according  to  this  splendid  city  the  full  measure  of  its  glory. 

An  eminent  writer,  who  for  fifteen  years  has  specially  studied  the  past, 
present  and  future  of  the  trans-Missouri  States,  says:  “ 

“Denver  is  the  geographical,  railroad,  financial,  commercial,  smelting, 
manufacturing,  live-stock, -educational  and  social  center,  and  ‘general  liubr 
not  only  of  Colorado,  but  of  the  entire  Rocky  Mountain  region. 

“The  population  of  Denver  has  increased  as  follows:  1S60,  less  than  1000; 
census  1S70  (the  year  Denver  was  connected  with  the  Pinion  Pacific  Rail- 
road), 4731;  1SS0  (census),  35,628;  1890  (census),  106,713;  1S9S  (estimated), 
165,000. 

“Colorado  alone  equals  in  area  the  whole  of  New  England  and  the  State 
of  New  York  put  together,  with  greater  and  more  varied  resources  than  any 
State  in  the  Union,  but  the  country  tributary  to  Denver  (and  within  which 
she  has  no  possible  rival  for  600  miles  in  any  direction)  extends  far  beyond 
the  State  of  Colorado  and  practically  embraces  the  whole  of  the  territory 
west  of  the  Missouri  river,  with  an  area  considerably  greater  than  the  whole 
of  the  German  Empire. 

“In  this  vast  region  every  new  mine  worked,  every  fresh  acre  cultivated, 
every  new  orchard  planted,  every  new  cjuarry  opened,  every  herd  of  cattle 
or  flock  of  sheep  turned  out  to  graze,  and  every  manufacturing  enterprise 
started,  reacts  beneficially  on  and  sends  new  life-blood  to  the  heart  of 
Denver. 

“Recognizing  the  fact  that  Denver  is  the  eastern  gateway  of  the  great 
gold-producing  districts  of  Colorado  and  the  whole  Rocky  Mountain  region. 


46 


COLORADO. 


the  United  States  government  is  now  (1893)  building  at  Denver  a coinage 
mint  to  cost  .$500,000,  which  will  furnish  local  employment  to  a large  number 
of  people.  The  mining  country  tributary  to  Denver,  including  Colorado, 
Utah,  Wyoming,  Idaho,  Montana,  New  Mexico,  Arizona  and  Nevada,  will 
then  send  all  or  most  of  the  gold  to  Denver.  The  new  coinage  mint  will 
inevitably  be  a government  sub-treasury,  and  will  probably  result  in  Denver 
having  a disbursing  office  of  pensions.  Such  coinage  mint  will  obviously 
have  a very  marked  effect  on  Denver  as  a financial  center. 

‘‘Denver  stands  unrivaled  in  either  hemisphere  for  its  combination  of 
advantages  as  a place  of  residence,  as  a field  for  investment,  as  a place  of 
unusually  rapid  but  solid  growth,  as  a smelting  center,  as  a city  with  unlim- 
ited and  varied  undeveloped  resources  at  its  back,  as  an  increasing  manufac- 
turing center,  and  as  a cosmopolitan,  energetic  and  enterprising  community, 
while  its  past  history,  present  position  and  certain  future  prospects  undoubt- 
edly destine  it  eventually  to  be  one  of  the  four  great  cities  of  the  United 
States. 

“Denver  will  go  forward  because  she  is  the  commercial  capital  of  a State 
-that  produces  nearly  one-third  of  all  the  gold  and  silver  used  in  North 
America;  because  the  world  wants  mines  of  precious  metals  and  must  come 
to  Colorado  for  them;  because  she  is  the  dividing  line  of  the  four  commercial 
points  of  the  compass,  and  therefore  the  natural  cattle  center  of  the  Union, 
where  the  range-breeder  meets  the  feeder,  and  where  in  the  near  future  will 
be  seen  a great  packing  and  wool-buying  center;  because  Denver  is  the  nat- 
ural clearing-house  of  every  Rocky  Mountain  enterprise,  East  and  West; 
because  Denver  people  and  Eastern  capital  have  faith  in  her,  and  because 
her  combined  features,  commercial,  social  and  public  spirit,  mark  her  as  the 
resistless  candidate  for  future  progress. 

“Denver  is  a thirty-nine-year-old  city  and  covers  an  area  forty-nine 
square  miles,  twice  that  of  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  It  has  an  assessed 
valuation  of  $69,984,420,  a real  valuation  of  .$77,685,525,  and  a bonded  debt 
of  .$2,030,000.  For  the  latter  a sinking  fund  is  created,  and  all  interest  is 
promptly  paid.  It  required  <$871,904  to  conduct  the  city  government  in 
1898.  It  has  1500  business  establishments,  giving  employment  to  over  12,000 
persons,  who  annually  receive  in  wages  nearly  .$9,000,000.  The  wholesale 
and  retail  sales  for  the  year  1897  amounted  to  .$55,000,000.  The  manufac- 
tories number  525;  number  of  employes,  16,679;  amount  of  wages  paid, 
,$10,990,7S2;  value  of  product,  .$43,451,705. 

“The  clearing-house  business  for  the  last  week  of  1S97  amounted  to 
.$2,127,165;  for  the  week  ending  April  1,  1898,  $3,378,056,  an  increase  of 
$1,250,891. 

“The  financial  transactions  of  the  postoffice  aggregated  $393,000.  This 
department  employs  100  carriers,  who  traverse  275  miles  within  the  city 
limits. 

“During  1S97  the  real-estate  transfers  represented,  approximately, 
$3,000,000  in  value.  The  number  of  new  buildings  erected  cost  $1,229,300. 

“Denver  is  the  great  smelting  center  of  the  West,  treating  a large  per 
cent,  of  the  ores  of  Colorado,  and  receiving  large  consignments  from  every 
mining  State  and  Territory  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  region.  Three  immense 
establishments,  which  have  no  superior  in  modern  equipments  or  capacity 
in  the  world,  are  at  the  service  of  the  miner.  They  are  the  Boston  & Colo- 
rado Smelting  Co.,  the  Omaha  & Grant  Smelting  Co.  and  the  Globe  Smelt- 
ing & Refining  Co. 

“Denver  is  the  greatest  local  and  distributing  fruit  market  between  San 
Francisco  and  St.  Louis,  and  Colorado  is  fast  becoming  the  only  rival  of 
California  in  fruit  production.  The  live-stock  industry  is  a source  of  great 
wealth. 


COLORADO. 


47 


“Denver  is  fully  equipped  to  handle  in  a satisfactory  manner  any  large 
gatherings  of  a national  character.  This  fact  was  proven  during  the  con- 
clave of  the  Knights  Templar  in  1892,  when  100,000  visitors  were  well  cared 
for  and  entertained.  In  addition  to  its  dozen  leading  hotels  and  upward  of 
100  boarding-houses,  and  double  that  number  of  lodging-houses,  Denver  has 
sixty-live  first-class  private  and  family  hotels.  The  city  has  now  a record 
of  having  entertained  the  largest  crowd  that  ever  gathered  upon  a single 
occasion  in  America,  and  while  ready  to  do  so  again  right  now,  yet  prepara- 
tions are  being  made  for  the  erection  of  an  auditorium  which,  by  its  vast- 
ness of  ground  space  and  plan  of  construction,  will  forever  set  at  rest  any 
speculation  as  to  the  ability  of  the  city  to  take  care  of  any  national  or  inter- 
national gathering  that  may  be  proposed. 

“Viewed  from  the  health-seeker’s  standpoint,  Denver  is  his  Mecca.  The 
pure  light  air,  the  freedom  from  disease  germs,  because  of  the  excellent  sani- 
tary system,  for  which  in  great  part  its  topography  is  responsible,  make  it  a 
resort  par  excellence  for  hundreds  whom  disease  has  incapacitated  from  the 
enjoyment  of  the  pleasures  of  life.  Here,  provided  his  case  has  not  gone  to 
the  extent  of  his  having  one  foot  in  the  grave,  typically  speaking,  there  is  a 
healing  fount  in  the  atmosphere  that  has  returned  hundreds  of  his  kind  to 
life  and  full  vitality.” 

ARCHULETA. 

With  soil  good  for  all  farm  and  garden  products,  susceptible  of  agricul- 
ture and  available  from  the  San  Juan  river  and  local  mountain  streams, 
Archuleta  is  rapidly  taking  rank  among  the  thrifty  agricultural  counties. 
It  is  situated  on  the  southern  boundary  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  the 
State,  and,  heretofore,  has  been  strictly  devoted  to  grazing.  Its  1S00  square 
miles  show  a diversified  surface  over  which  the  San  Juan,  Navajo,  Blanco 
and  Piedra  rivers  and  their  tributaries  form  a network  of  streams  valuable 
for  irrigation.  The  forests  of  yellow  pine  are  the  finest  in  the  State,  and  the 
deep  black  loam  is  found  to  be  favorable  for  all  sorts  of  tree  culture,  while 
stock-raising  and  farming  are  the  chief  interests.  A great  deal  of  mining  is 
done  with  profit.  In  1885,  when  the  county  was  taken  from  Conejos,  the 
character  of  its  people  was  altogether  Mexican,  but  since  immigration  from 
Eastern  States  set  in  the  population  has  increased  greatly.  At  Pagosa 
Springs  there  is  a fine  courthouse,  and  the  county  supports  four  well- 
equipped  public  schools.  As  may  be  seen,  this  portion  of  the  State  is  yet 
undeveloped,  and  from  the  character  of  the  soil,  products  and  climate,  offers 
for  the  future  a fruitful  field  for  capital.  The  mineral  springs  are  numerous, 
those  at  Pagosa  being  especially  so,  and  the  waters  are  of  high  medicinal 
quality.  In  agriculture  alone,  the  field  is  boundless.  There  are  10,000  acres 
under  ditch,  and  the  total  number  of  acres  devoted  to  grazing  is  100,000. 
The  ore,  gold  and  silver,  though  low-grade,  is  abundant,  and  prospecting  is 
still  in  progress  with  varied  success.  Both  coal  and  iron  are  found  in  great 
quantities;  in  fact,  fully  one-third  of  the  county  is  underlaid  with  large  coal 
bodies  running  in  veins  of  vast  extent.  The  attention  of  capitalists  is  being 
drawn  to  these  enormous  beds,  and  coal  claims  are  being  rapidly  located.  In 
addition  to  these  natural  products  there  is  a white  sandstone  suitable  for 
building  purposes.  Petroleum  is  found  in  large  quantities,  and  the  lubri- 
cating fluid  extracted  equals  the  product  of  the  oil  fields  of  the  Ohio  Valley. 
For  wealth  of  resources,  salubrity  of  climate  and  the  varied  attractions  that 
make  up  the  sum  total  of  all  that  is  required  to  attract  the  eye  of  the  coming 
settler.  Archuleta  county  is  bountifully  provided.  While  agriculture  and 
the  products  of  the  soil  are  now  receiving  most  attention,  the  old  industry, 
stock-raising,  however,  is  not  diminishing.  During  1897  this  county  pro- 
duced about  36,000  bushels  of  grain  and  about  18,000  tons  of  hay,  and 
shipped  6000  head  of  b.eef  cattle. 


48 


COLORADO. 


BACA. 


Baca  county  is  of  recent  growth,  having  been  separated  from  Las  Animas,, 
of  which  it  was  a part  until  April,  1S89.  It  receives  its  name  from  the  first 
settler  on  Butte  creek.  The  county-seat  is  Springfield,  an  ambitious  town 
near  its  center.  It  contains  a rich  and  fertile  soil,  covering  240,000  acres  of 
what  is  classed  as  agricultural  lands,  and  the  total  acreage  for  grazing  is- 
200,000  acres.  Baca  county  offers  great  inducements  for  farmers.  It  is 
located  in  what  is  known  a's  the  rain  belt,  where  crops  of  all  kinds  are  raised 
without  irrigation.  Agriculture  and  stock-raising  are  the  only  industries, 
and,  though  yet  young,  these  are  sufficient  to  support  the  thriving  towns  of 
Springfield,  Brookfield,  Yilas,  Boston,  Minneapolis,  Atlanta,  Stonington, 
Plymouth,  Carriso  and  Carriso  Springs.  The  population  is  1500,  and,  as 
the  nomenclature  of  the  county  indicates,  the  settlers  are  from  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  and  the  New  England  States.  They  are  thrifty  and  indus- 
trious, and  under  their  husbandry  the  once  arid  waste  is  being  rapidly 
reclaimed  and  made  productive.  For  1898  the  assessed  valuation  was 
8252,410.  For  building  material  there  is  an  abundance  of  timber,  and  a 
light-colored  yet  durable  rock  is  quarried  from  the  hills.  Coal  is  found  in 
various  parts  of  the  county,  and  in  the  southwestern  portion  copper  is  being- 
mined  on  a small  scale.  Silver,  of  a low  grade,  is  also  found  in  the  south- 
west, but  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  develop  this  important  discovery. 
The  inducements  to  settlers  in  this  county  are  many — a healthful  climate,  a 
rich  and  productive  soil  and  plenty  of  water  and  timber.  Though  a young 
county,  no  complaint  can  be  made  in  so  far  as  educational  facilities  are 
concerned.  There  are  public  schools,  with  competent  instructors,  and 
church  organizations  as  follows:  Methodist  Episcopal,  Baptist,  Catholic, 
Presbyterian  and  Lniversalist.  The  county  contains  a rich  and  fertile  soil 
covering  240,000  acres  of  what  is  classed  as  agricultural  lands,  and  produces 
excellent  crops.  Most  of  the  farming  is  done  without  irrigation,  and  there 
are  times  when  some  very  good  crops  are  produced  in  this  way.  On  account 
of  its  containing  no  large  streams,  irrigating  facilities  are  limited.  The 
grazing  is  excellent  at  all  seasons,  and  the  winters  being  mild  stock  can 
range  all  the  year  round  without  being  fed.  The  principal  crops  grown  last 
year  were  broomcorn  and  the  family  of  corn  known  as  rice,  kaffir  and  milo- 
maize,  with  several  varieties  of  sorghums  as  forage. 

BENT. 

Bent  county  has  an  area  of  1511  square  miles,  situated  in  the  southeast- 
ern part  of  the  State,  and  watered  by  the  Arkansas,  Las  Animas  and  other 
streams.  It  receives  its  name  from  Col.  William  Bent,  an  early  pioneer. 
Otero  county  bounds  it  on  the  west,  Prowers  on  the  east,  Kiowa  on  the 
north  and  Las  Animas  on  the  south.  lias  Animas,  a flourishing  city,  with 
a 860,000  courthouse,  is  the  county-seat.  This  city  has  other-  large  build- 
ings, a 812.000  hospital,  a 81000  brick  city  hall,  a 812,000  brick  schoolhouse 
and  other  projected  structures  of  equal  size  and  importance.  Bent  is  one  of 
the  counties  of  the  rich  Arkansas  Valley,  bountifully  provided  with  all  that 
contributes  to  the  prosperity  of  a community.  The  prairie  is  level.  There 
is  plenty  of  cedar  timber,  especially  along  the  Arkansas  and  Purgatoire 
rivers  and  in  the  hills  in  the  southwest.  In  these  valleys  there  is  nothing 
in  the  temperate  zone  that  will  not  grow.  The  population  is  1313. 
Fort  Lyon  has  one  regiment  of  United  States  troops,  and  they  contribute 
not  a little  to  the  general  prosperity  of  the  county.  So  long  has  Bent  county 
been  a cattle  country  that  the  first  inhabitants  are  all  wealthy,  and  the 
recent  settlers  find  no  difficulty  in  securing  a livelihood.  Stock-raising  has 
always  been  the  chief  industry,  employing  vast  capital,  and  with  the  coming 
of  the  immigrant  farming  has  become  almost  as  important  as  cattle-raising 
ever  was.  The  great  fields  of  alfalfa  form  a splendid  feeding  ground  for  the 


COLORADO. 


49 


bees.  Bent  county  has  for  years  led  neighboring  counties  as  a stock-raising 
and  shipping  section  and  the  lead  is  maintained.  Cattle-raisers  are  grading 
up  their  stock. 

In  common  with  the  other  agricultural  counties  of  the  Arkansas  Valley 
Bent  county  looks  upon  the  past  year  as  one  of  unusual  advancement  and 
prosperity.  Sandstone  is  plenty  in  this  county,  and  oil  is  generally  supposed 
to  exist,  though  no  effort  has  ever  been  made  to  fird  the  oil.  Bent  county 
has  plenty  of  streams  for  water,  and  while  irrigation  is  not  necessary  to  the 
extent,  perhaps,  that  it  is  in  other  parts  of  this  State  for  successive  crops, 
yet  it  has  about  100  miles  of  main  irrigating  ditches,  besides  thousands  of 
miles  of  laterals.  The  following  estimate  is  not  far  from  the  facts: 

Wheat  harvested  in  1S98,  about  150,000  bushels,  worth  .$75,000;  oats, 

150.000  bushels,  worth  $4000;  alfalfa  hay,  50,000  tons,  worth  $125,000. 
There  were  other  minor  crops,  such  as  fruit,  sorghum,  cantaloupes,  potatoes, 
etc.,  of  a value  of  $20,000.  There  have  been  raised  in  Bent  county  about 

50.000  lambs,  worth  about  $150,000:  wool,  about  400.000  pounds,  worth 
about  $40,000.  Bent  county  has  on  feed  about  50,000  lambs,  mostly  of  her 
own  raising.  The  cattle  sold  in  1898  will  yield  a revenue  of  about  $50,000. 

Mineral  springs  abound  in  the  county,  and  although  little  advertised  they 
are  growing  in  favor  for  their  high  medicinal  virtues.  The  days  are  soon 
coming  when  Bent  county  will  furnish  the  State  with  some  of  the  finest 
resorts  within  her  borders.  In  closing  this  sketch  it  will  be  of  interest  to 
state  that  Bent  county  has  a good  record  in  the  manufacture  of  syrup.  Ac- 
cording to  the  reports  there  were  last  year  many  acres  of  sorghum  raised, 
out  of  which  100,000  gallons  of  syrup  were  made.  The  showing  is  that,  side 
by  side  with  live  stock,  there  are  sources  of  wealth  in  this  county  to  which 
cattle-raising  itself  is  no  rival  in  any  respect.  Farming  is  destined  to  become 
a powerful  factor  in  Bent  county’s  growth,  a fact  which  the  cattlemen 
themselves  are  not  slow  to  recognize. 

BOULDER. 

Boulder  county  has  a population  of  20.000,  and  the  county-seat  is  Boulder, 
with  a population  of  10,000,  situated  close  to  the  foothills  at  the  mouth 
of  Boulder  canon.  The  courthouse  and  grounds  cost  $125,000,  and  the  city 
is  otherwise  beautified  by  well-shaded  streets  and  a large  number  of  hand- 
some residences.  The  county  of  Boulder  has  an  area  of  1133  square  miles, 
and  was  organized  in  1861.  The  people  are  largely  from  the  Middle  States. 
There  is  but  very  little  actual  poverty,  and  the  wealth  of  the  county  is  almost 
equally  distributed.  The  industries  are  mining  (coal  and  mineral),  quarrying, 
mei-cantile  and  agriculture.  The  mineral  districts  are  divided  into  Grand 
Island,  Magnolia.  Ward,  Gold  Hill,  Sugar  Loaf,  Central  Mining  and  Boul- 
der. The  general  character  of  the  formation  shows  gold  and  silver  (native), 
tollurides  of  gold  and  silver,  pyrites  of  copper  and  iron,  silver  ore  containing 
all  the  sulphurates  of  silver,  galena  and  zinc  blend.  These  are  in  fissure 
formations  and  placer  claims.  In  1S59  the  native  gold  discoveries  occurred, 
and  ten  years  later  silver  was  found  at  Caribou.  The  estimated  output  for 
the  county  during  1898  is,  gold,  $676,816;  silver,  $10S,834.  In  1897  an  aver- 
age of  1653  men  were  employed  in  mining  and  milling.  The  average  number 
of  mines  working  was  265,  average  number  of  placers  five,  average  number 
of  mills  working  ten.  The  county  records  show  784  mining  claims,  forty-one 
placer  claims  and  seventy-eight  mill  sites,  for  which  United  States  patents 
have  been  obtained.  "Since  1871,  186  tunnel  sites,  401  placer  claims,  322  mill 
sites  and  13.624  lode  claims  have  been  located  and  recorded.  Lyons,  a town 
in  this  county,  has  the  most  development  in  stone  quarries.  Other  quarries 
have  been  opened  at  Gere  canon  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Boulder.  The  quality 
of  the  stone  is  desirable  for  building,  flagging  and  paving  purposes.  Along 
the  foothills,  through  the  county,  there  are  vast  beds  of  this  stone,  requiring 


50 


COLORADO. 


only  the  capital  for  excavation.  At  Longmont,  a city  of  2500  population, 
there  is  a flourishing  canning  factory  and  three  flouring  mills,  and  at  Boulder 
an  iron  foundry.  At  the  latter  place  there  is  also  a flouring  mill  with  a 
capacity  of  150  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  The  seltzer  and  mineral  springs  of 
the  county  are  remarkable.  Those  at  Springdale  are  grateful  to  consump- 
tives, inasmuch  as  their  altitude  is  but  6500  feet.  These  springs  are  tonic 
waters,  helpful  in  debility,  rheumatism,  liver  and  kidney  ailments;  soda  and 
iron  are. their  leading  constituents.  Perhaps  the  most  noted  of  the  springs 
is  the  Boulder  water,  which  has  a sale  throughout  this  country  and  Europe. 
The  analysis  as  made  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Sewall  of  the  Denver  University  shows 
these  constituents:  Carbonate  of  soda,  .984;  carbonate  of  magnesia,  6.020; 
carbonate  of  lime,  7.480;  carbonate  of  iron,  .081;  chloride  of  sodium,  30.217; 
chloride  of  potassium,  1.100;  sulphate  of  soda,  3.840;  silica,  .102;  to  the  pint 
of  mineral  water,  49.824  grains;  carbonic  acid  gas,  39  cubic  inches.  This 
analysis  shows  these  waters  to  be  a complicated  medical  prescription,  con- 
taining various  salts  blended  together,  obtained  from  the  strata  of  rocks 
through  which  they  pass. 

The  wheat  output  for  Boulder  county  in  1898  was  about  750,000  bushels, 
or  an  increase  of  10  per  cent.  The  average  yield  was  about  5 per  cent,  less 
than  last  year,  which  was  twenty-five  bushels  to  the  acre.  The  price  ranged 
from  seventy-five  to  eightyfive  cents  a hundredweight.  The  oat  production 
was  25,000  bushels,  and  the  market  ranged  about  ninety  cents  a hundred. 
The  barley  crop  was  25,000  bushels  and  commanded  sixty-five  cents  a hun- 
dred. The  corn  yield  was  about  20,000  bushels,  but  the  price  advanced  to 
eighty  cents  a hundred. 

The  number  of  acres  in  orchards  bearing  fruit  is  318;  acres  in  orchards 
not  bearing,  430.  The  small-fruit  output  was  250,000  quarts,  but  the  prices 
received  were  high  throughout  the  season.  The  total  amount  received  was 
almost  equal  to  the  total  of  last  year.  Strawberries  brought  $1.40  a case, 
raspberries  $1.40  a case  and  blackberries  $2.50. 

The  Union  Pacific  reaches  all  the  important  points  in  this  county.  Edu- 
cationally, the  county  is  well  sustained.  There  are  fifty-two  school  districts, 
with  fifty-seven  public  schools.  At  Boulder  City  is  located  the  Colorado 
University  and  the  Bendictine  Academy.  The  Congregational,  Catholic, 
Episcopal,  Methodist,  Baptist,  African  M.  E.  Church,  Presbyterian  and 
Christian  denominations  each  have  their  places  of  worship,  and  the  build- 
ings are  all  fine  specimens  of  modern  architecture.  The  county  is  well  sup- 
plied with  newspapers. 

CHAFFEE 

receives  its  name  from  the  Hon.  Jerome  B.  Chaffee,  and  is  a splendid  monu- 
ment to  his  memory.  It  is  one  of  the  wealthy  mid-state  counties.  The  Con- 
tinental Divide  forms  its  western  boundary.  On  the  north  is  Lake  and  Park 
i counties,  on  the  east  Park  and  Fremont  counties,  and  on  the  south  are  Fre- 
mont and  Saguache  counties.  The  transportation  facilities  are  unusually 
good,  the  county  being  traversed  by  three  railroad  systems.  The  important 
towns  are  Buena  Vista,  the  county-seat;  Salida,  Maysfield,  Garfield,  Nath- 
rop,  Monarch,  Centerville  and  Poncha  Springs.  Chaffee  county  was  created 
in  1879  from  a part  of  Lake  county.  The  population  today  is  8000. 

Lying  within  a sort  of  a park  between  the  Continental  Divide  on  the  west 
and  the  Park  Range  on  the  east,  the  topogx-aphical  aspect  is  that  of  a basin. 
But  into  this  park  this  large  population  is  gathered,  and  they  are  thriving 
and  perfectly  content  with  their  lot.  The  county  is  exceptional  in  regard  to 
climate;  the  beauty  of  its  location  and  rapidly  increasing  importance  as  an 
agricultural  and  mining  county  give  it  added  interest  to  the  world  in  general. 
Through  this  vast  park,  or  valley,  the  Arkansas  river  rushes  and  loses  itself 
amid  the  picturesqueness  and  fertility  of  a smaller  valley  twenty-eight  miles 
in  length  and  twelve  miles  in  breadth.  It  is  here  at  Buena  Vista  the  county- 


COLORADO. 


51 


seat  is  located.  At  various  points,  tributary  streams  from  tie  surrounding 
mountains  cross  this  park  and  empty  into  the  river.  It  has  been  estimated 
by  the  careful  computation  of  an  experienced  engineer  that  there  are  within 
the  confines  of  this  valley  289,360  acres  of  land  available,  when  under  irriga- 
tion, for  agricultural  purposes,  and  350,000  which  furnish  a good  range  for 
stock. 

Five  miles  westward  of  Buena  Vista  rise  the  celebrated  trinity  of  college 
peaks,  Harvard,  Princeton  and  Yale,  while  the  distant  view  southward  is 
limited  by  the  snowy  summits  of  the  Sangre  de  Cristo  Range.  In  this 
vicinity  are  also  the  celebrated  Cottonwood  Springs.  An  analysis  of  the 
water  shows  carbonate  of  soda,  carbonate  of  magnesia,  carbonate  of  lithia, 
carbonate  of  lime,  iodine,  sulphate  of  soda,  chloride  of  sodium  and  silica, 
and  their  efficacy  in  cases  of  rheumatism,  lead  poisoning,  cutaneous  diseases 
and  general  debility  is  now  well  proven.  Nine  miles  from  Buena  Vista,  in 
a southwesterly  direction,  are  the  Haywood  Hot  Springs,  similar  in  nature 
to  the  Cottonwood  Springs.  Twenty  miles  from  Buena  Vista  are  the  cele- 
brated Twin  Lakes,  of  whose  beauty  many  tongues  have  sung  and  many 
pens  have  written.  Silver,  copper  and  gold  mines  are  located  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  county,  and  here  are  the  quarries  from  which  the  granite  for  the 
Topeka  State  capitol  was  cut.  Hancock  and  Pine  creek  have  the  gray 
granite  quarries;  Nathrop,  the  lava  stone  deposit,  and  the  dolomite  and 
marble  at  Calumet.  All  these  stones  have  a fixed  value  in  the  market,  and 
the  demand  is  increasing  as  they  grow  in  favor  for  building  puiposes.  A 
100-ton  smelter  is  in  operation  at  Buena  Vista. 

Much  might  be  said  about  the  agricultural  and  horticultural  possibilities 
of  Chaffee  county.  Wheat,  oats,  barley,  potatoes,  peas  and  rye  grow  here  to 
perfection,  wherever  water  can  be  obtained.  S.  J.  Terry,  just  above  Poncha, 
raised  a piece  of  wheat  this  year  which  yielded  at  the  rate  of  forty-four  and 
one-half  bushels  to  the  acre.  County  Commissioner  Mundlein  plowed  up  a 
four-acre  strawberry  patch  last  spring  and  sowed  it  to  wheat,  from  which 
he  cleaned  up  240  bushels.  Alfalfa  yields  two,  and,  when  properly  seeded 
and  watered,  three  tons  per  acre,  and  after  cutting  two  crops  grows  splendid 
pasture  for  fall  and  winter.  Very  little  snow  falls  in  the  Ai’kansas  Valley, 
and  cattle  and  horses  range  in  the  alfalfa  pastures  here  all  winter,  with  little 
feed  from  the  stacks,  and  come  out  fat  in  the  spring.  There  are  some  splen- 
did young  apple  orchards  in  the  south  end  of  the  county.  Varieties  raised 
here  are  the  Ben  Davis,  Duchess,  Yellow  Transparent,  Alexander,  Wolf 
River,  Red  June,  Wealthy,  McMahon,  Delaware  Red  Winter  and  several 
more  hardy  varieties.  Many  farmers  have  apricot,  plum  and  cherry  trees  in 
their  yards. 

CHEYENNE. 

Like  the  counties  of  Bent  and  Elbert,  of  which  Cheyenne  county  was  a 
part,  its  million  of  acres  are  devoted  to  farming  and  stock-raising.  It  was 
created  in  1892.  Its  eastern  boundary  is  the  State  line  of  Kansas,  and  Kit 
Carson,  Lincoln  and  Kiowa  counties  bound  it  on  the  north,  west  and  south 
respectively.  There  are  1S00  square  miles,  and  from  its  contiguity  to  Kan- 
sas much  of  its  population  is  the  overflow  from  the  bordering  counties  of  that 
State.  There  are  a number  of  streams,  the  principal  of  these  being  the  Big 
Sandy,  which  winds  its  way  along  a well-timbered  valley.  The  population 
is  about  500,  of  marked  industry  and  an  ambition  to  progress  that  promises 
well  for  the  towns  of  Cheyenne  Wells  and  Kit  Carson,  and  the  settlements 
generally.  The  assessed  valuation  on  property  for  1898  was  $1,046,771.  For 
a new  county,  Cheyenne  has  prospered  fully  as  well  as  any  of  her  recently- 
admitted  sisters.  There  are  good  schools  of  three  denominations,  Catholic, 
Methodist  and  Baptist.  There  are  64S.000  acres,  of  which  575,000  are  given 
over  to  grazing.  The  discovery  of  gas  in  1887  has  awakened  interest  in  this 
direction,  and  the  presumption  is  that  underlying  the  most  of  the  territory 


52 


COLORADO. 


there  is  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  natural  gas.  The  Union  Pacific  Railroad 
traverses  the  county,  and  has  opened  up  quite  a prosperous  section.  Good 
soil,  a healthful  climate,  plenty  of  water,  free  land  in  abundance,  and  an 
unsurpassed  range  for  stock-raising  are  the  inducements  offered  to  settlers. 
Within  the  last  year  farming  has  obtained  a firm  footing.  Being  within  the 
rain  belt,  the  county  has  no  irrigation,  though  water  can  be  obtained  very 
readily  for  reservoirs.  The  peculiarity  of  its  numerous  streams  is  that  while 
superficially  dry,  there  is  a subterranean  flow  which  needs  only  to  be  prop- 
erly tapped  to  give  the  count®  all  the  irrigation  needed.  It  is  estimated 
that  there  are  fully  1000  springs  which  assist  in  keeping  the  Big  Sandy  a 
living  streams  a distance  of  over  200  miles  through  some  of  the  richest  land 
in  the  State.  The  stock  interests  flourish. 

CLEAR  CREEK. 

This  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  as  well  as  one  of  the  oldest  of  Colorado’s 
county  organizations.  Twenty-nine  years  ago  it  was  separated  from  Jeffer- 
son county.  The  county-seat  is  Georgetown,  and  is  provided  with  a palatial 
courthouse  and  a brick  structure  for  jail  purposes.  As  is  generally  known, 
mining  is  the  vocation  of  the  population,  'which  exceeds  6500.  The  county- 
seat.  has  a population  of  1500  people;  Silver  Plume,  900,  and  Idaho  Springs, 
2000.  Being  essentially  a mining  community,  the  population  is  distinctively 
cosmopolitan.  They  are  drawn  hither  from  mining  countries  the  world 
over.  The  assessed  valuation  of  the  county  is  $2,122,922.  Gold,  silver, 
copper,  lead,  zinc  and  iron  are  mined. 

The  great  number  of  veins  in  this  section  precludes  the  possibility  of  indi- 
vidual mention.  The  county  is  divided  into  thirty-two  mining  districts,  viz., 
Dailey,  Upper  Union,  Queens,  Argentine,  Upper  Fall  Creek,  Griffith,  Ot- 
tawa. Lincoln,  Mill  Creek,  Downieville,  Montana,  Trail  Creek,  Cascade,. 
Democrat,  York,  Lower  Fall  River,  Morris,  Empire,  Banner,  Trail  Run, 
Coral,  Jackson,  Ohio,  Gold,  Spanish  Bar,  Independence,  Virginia,  Grass 
Valley,  Iowa,  Paynes’  Bar,  Lower  Union,  Canon. 

A number  of  mines  in  the  county  have  reached  a high  state  of  develop- 
ment and  are  equipped  with  fine  plants  of  modern  machinery.  Other  large 
properties  are  so  located  that  development  can  be  prosecuted  through  tunnels 
or  by  cross-cut  tunnels. cutting  the  veins  at  a depth  of  several  hundred  feet. 
The  advantage  and  economy  of  working  through  tunnels  and  avoiding  ex- 
pensive plants  of  machinery  and  their  maintenance  is  obvious.  The  year 
1897  closed  upon  the  active  development  of  ten  tunnels.  Three  of  these  have 
for  their  ultimate  ending  the  large  mines  of  Gilpin  county,  and  will  be  be- 
tween three  and  four  miles  in  length.  Each  will  tap  the  Gilpin  county  belt 
at  a different  point  and  on  route  cut  many  of  the  strong  veins  of  the  district. 
The  other  tunnels  are  for  tapping  the  properties  owned  by  the  different 
companies. 

The  placer  deposits  along  the  beds  of  the  streams  still  furnish  remunera- 
tive employment  to  a number  of  men.  The  appliances  used  are  little  in 
advance  of  those  used  by  the  pioneers  in  1859.  While  these  beds  have  been 
worked  over  several  times,  the  cradle  and  sluice-box,  backed  with  hard 
work,  will  return  fair  pay  and  an  occasional  opening  of  a bar  that  more  than 
makes  up  any  deficiency  for  lean  ground. 

The  records  of  the  county  show  930  lode  claims,  sixty-two  placer  claims,. 
229  mill  sites  for  which  United  States  patents  have  been  obtained.  From 
1864  to  January  1.  1897,  the  records  show  22,201  lode  claims  duly  recorded. 
The  average  number  of  mines  and  prospects  at  work  during  1897  was  276. 
The  average  number  of  men  employed,  1712. 

Not  only  is  it  a mining  county,  but  in  its  valleys  and  along  the  foot-hills 
there  are  some  very  rich  agriculture  lands,  of  which  1000  acres  are  available, 
and  the  remaining.  2000  suitable  for  grazing.  Stone  and  lime  are  found  here* 


COLORADO. 


53 


in  quantities  inexhaustible,  and  the  facilities  given  for  ready  intercourse 
with  the  commercial  world  make  Clear  Creek  county  a desirable  place  for 
investment.  The  Colorado  & Southern  Railway  traverses  the  county  the 
entire  length  of  Clear  Creek  canon,  reaching  all  mining  camps  and  resorts. 
As  a place  of  health  resorts  it  is  second  to  none  in  the  State,  that  of  Idaho 
Springs  especially  having  already  achieved  a world-wide  celebrity.  But 
mining  will  always  be  the  chief  industry. 


CONEJOS. 

In  Spanish  the  word  Conejos  is  “rabbit,”  and  to  the  fact  that  the  county 
year's  ago  was  overrun  with  these  animals  is  due  this  application  of  the  word 
when  the  county  was  organized  at  that  time.  The  Rio  Grande  bounds 
Conejos  on  the  east  and  north,  and  the  summit  of  the  Conejos  Range  marks 
the  line  which  divides  it  from  Archuleta  on  the  west.  At  Conejos,  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  Conejos  river,  is  located  the  county-seat.  Timber  is  plenty, 
and  the  valleys  of  the  Rio  Grande,  San  Antonio,  Conejos,  La  Jara  and  the 
Alamosa  rivers  are  fertile  in  the  extreme.  The  history  of  the  hardships  of 
the  pioneers  of  this  section  is  filled  with  thrilling  episodes,  the  settlement  of 
the  whites  being  bitterly  resented  by  the  Indians.  After  a considerable  sea- 
son of  doubt  as  to  who  should  gain  supremacy,  the  Indians  were  compelled 
to  fall  back  before  the  advance  of  civilization.  There  is  a mixed  population 
of  Mexicans  and  Americans.  The  county  has  a population  of  about  10,000. 
The  chief  towns  are  Alamosa,  Manassa,  Antonio,  Conejos,  La  Jara  and  a 
number  of  Mexican  plazas. 

The  chief  feature  physically  of  Conejos  county  is  the  mineral  deposits, 
which  are  found  in  leads  and  placers,  carrying  gold  and  silver.  The  first 
discovery  was  made  at  Conejos  camp  in  1881,  but  the  latest  and  most  re- 
markable discovery  since  that  of  the  Leadville  carbonates  was  made  in 
April  of  1889  at  the  Antonio  carbonate  camp.  It  was  a carbonate  formation 
carrying  gold  and  silver.  The  western  portion  being  strictly  a mineral  sec- 
tion from  Platora  in  the  north  to  the  Banded  Peaks  and  Antonita  Districts 
in  the  south.  While  prospected  to  a limited  extent,  it  can  properly  be 
classed  as  one  of  the  undeveloped  reserves  of  the  State,  well  worthy  of 
careful  investigation. 

The  county  records  show  1094  lode  claims  recorded,  sixty-eight  being 
patented;  three  placer  claims  and  three  tunnel  sites.  Beyond  annual  assess- 
ment work  little  systematic  exploring  was  prosecuted  during  the  past  year. 
An  average  of  forty-six  men  employed  during  the  year.  The  tract  for  agri- 
culture is  about  thirty  by  forty-four  miles  in  extent,  and  the  foot-hills  and 
mountain  sides  are  set  down  as  the  only  grazing  land.  There  are  good 
schools  in  the  county,  which  include  the  Conejos  Academy  and  the  Hunting- 
ton  Seminary.  The  papers  of  the  county  are  weekly,  and  are  prosperous 
and  widely  read.  Irrigating  canals  several  hundred  miles  in  extent  are 
constructed. 

Wheat  is  the  great  staple,  with  oats,  potatoes,  alfalfa,  peas  and  grasses 
following  closely  in  importance.  The  crops  are  raised  by  irrigation.  The 
stock  range  is  unsurpassed,  feeders  being  driven  in  from  Arizona  and  New. 
Mexico  yearly  to  fatten.  Over  1000  cars  of  cattle  were  shipped  the  past  fall, 
besides  several  hundred  carloads  of  sheep  and  lambs.  Along  the  foot-hills 
and  in  the  mountains  immense  numbers  of  sheep  are  herded  during  the 
summer  months. 

COSTILLA. 

Happy  and  contented  are  the  people  of  this  mountain  county.  San  Luis 
is  the  county-seat,  and  has  a population  of  700,  where  is  built  a courthouse 
and  a jail  made  of  adobe  years  ago.  The  population  of  Costilla  county  is 


54 


COLORADO. 


5500.  In  the  eastern  part  are  great  mountain  forests,  and  the  water  supply 
comes  from  the  San  Luis  lake,  the  Saguache,  San  Luis,  Cotton  and  Dead 
Man’s  creeks  on  the  north,  and  the  Trinchero  creek  flows  through  the  central 
part  of  the  county.  The  soil  is  a rich  sandy  loam  that  responds  bountifully 
to  the  touch.  Lying  for  the  most  part  in  the  San  Luis  Valley,  the  agricul- 
tural interests  of  Costilla  county  are  of  the  first  importance.  Wheat  is  the 
great  staple  product,  with  oats  a good  second.  Some  of  the  yields  have  run 
up  to  eighty  bushels  of  wheat  an  acre.  Potatoes  yield  well.  For  wheat 
the  Defiance  is  most  sown  and  gives  the  best  results.  Mammoth  Pearl  and 
Delaware  are  the  favorites  with  potato-growers.  Alfalfa  has  been  tried  with 
success  and  will  be  largely  grown  in  coming  seasons.  It  is  too  high  for  any 
but  the  most  hardy  fruits.  Garden  vegetables  grow  to  astonishing  size, 
while  sugar  beets  have  given  a large  yield  wherever  tried.  The  irrigation 
system  is  being  brought  to  a state  of  perfection.  The  wheat  yield  of  1897 
exceeded  that  of  any  former  year  by  400,000  bushels,  and  a new  mill  has 
been  built  at  Hooper  with  a capacity  of  100,000  bushels.  The  farmers  of  the 
county  are  engaged  in  building  a railroad  of  their  own.  The  stock-growers 
have  given  great  attention  to  the  improvement  of  their  cattle,  the  Llerefords 
predominating.  There  are  many  thousand  head  of  fine  sheep  in  the  foot-hills. 

The  history  of  the  county  reveals  several  mining  excitements.  None  of 
these  until  within  the  past  few  years  resulted  in  any  systematic  exploration 
of  the  mineral  deposits. 

During  1896  and  1897  a systematic  effort  has  demonstrated  an  ore  body 
in  the  El  Plomo  District  that  bids  fair  to  make  mining  one  of  the  leading 
industries  of  the  county. 

At  Placer,  a camp  near  Veta  Pass,  on  the  headwaters  of  Sangre  de 
Cristo  creek,  many  improvements  have  been  made  during  the  past  year. 
The  placer  bars  that  have  been  the  seat  of  several  excitements  were  again 
worked  and  yielded  fair  returns  from  the  sluice-box. 

On  Mount  Blanca  a small  number  of  properties  have  been  operated 
steadily,  and  produced  small  shipments  of  ore.  During  1897  the  entire 
mountain  section  has  been  better  prospected  than  for  many  years.  The 
results  of  this  labor  indicate  a bright  future  for  this  section  as  a mining 
district 

The  county  and  grant  records  show  215  lode  claims  and  forty  placer 
claims  recorded.  During  the  summer  months  200  men  were  employed  and 
eleven  properties  working. 

CUSTER. 

Custer  county  was  taken  from  Fremont  in  1877.  It  is  named  in  honor  of 
General  Custer,  killed  by  the  Indians  at  the  Big  Horn  disaster.  Greenhorn,. 
Wet  and  Red  Mountains  are  the  ranges.  The  county  is  forty  by  thirty  miles 
in  extent,  and  within  this  area  there  is  consideable  mineral.  Of  the  thirty 
mines  in  the  county,  seven  are  producing,  the  product  being  gold  and  silver. 
Lead,  however,  is  the  chief  staple  article,  aggregating  in  value  last  year 
$71,015.19.  The  total  output  for  the  county  for  1897  was  $89,247.22.  For 
its  size,  Custer  is  one  of  the  most  thickly  populated  of  the  counties,  and  the 
people  are  prosperous.  Silver  Cliff,  Rosita,  Querida  and  West  Cliff  are  the 
principal  towns,  the  latter  being  the  terminus  of  the  eastern  branch  of  the 
Denver  & Rio  Grande  Railroad.  Antelope,  Grape  and  other  creeks  furnish 
water  for  the  fertile  area  devoted  to  agricultural  purposes.  The  live-stock 
industry  is  the  principal  support  of  the  county,  doubling  in  valuation  that  of 
the  mines.  The  prosperous  condition  of  this  industry  is  due  to  the  exceed- 
ingly favorable  climate,  the  abundance  of  water  and  the  other  natural  ad- 
vantages of  Wet  Mountain  Valley,  in  which  about  60,000  acres  are  under 
cultivation.  Canon  City,  Coal  Creek,  Rockvale,  Florence  and  Leadville 
have  furnished  a market. 


COLORADO. 


55 


The  hay  crop  yielded  900  tons;  oats,  about  50,000  bushels;  -wheat,  17,000 
bushels.  Barley  and  rye  will  tall  some  short  of  1897  yield.  A fair  estimate 
of  this  season’s  crop  of  small  grain  would  be  70,000  bushels.  Alfalfa  in 
Wet  Mountain  Valley  and  the  east  end  of  the  county  is  fed  to  cattle,  horses 
and  hogs.  The  vegetable  product  is  amply  sufficient  to  supply  the  home 
market.  The  farmers  are  paying  attention  to  diversification  of  crops. 

There  are  about  15,000  cattle  being  fed  on  the  public  domain.  The  reason 
there  are  not  more  may  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  quite  a number  of  the 
cattle-growers  of  the  county  are  pasturing  and  feeding,  since  they  get  more 
for  their  hay  in  this  way  than  giving  it  to  the  market.  Between  3000  and 
4000  head  of  this  class  of  cattle  have  been  shipped  this  year,  many  of  them 
going  to  Nebraska  and  Kansas.  Experiments  with  sheep  have  resulted 
favorably,  and  this  industry  is  on  the  increase.  Hogs  fed  on  alfalfa  and 
peas  fatten  rapidly,  and  are  found  to  make  as  palatable  meat  as  those 
corn-fed. 

While  the  mineral  resources  of  the  county  have  not  been  developed  very 
extensively  within  the  last  few  years,  there  is,  however,  a vast  quantity  of 
mineral.  Capital  is  required  for  development  work,  and  money  so  expended 
will  not  fail  to  bring  satisfactory  returns. 

DELTA. 

In  1883  this  county  was  formed  from  a part  of  Gunnison,  and  took  its 
name  from  the  county-seat  of  Delta,  so  called  from  its  peculiar  location  at 
the  junction  of  the  Gunnison  and  Uncompahgre  rivers.  The  population  is 
S000,  of  which  Delta  has  2000.  The  soil  is  adobe  and  a sandy  loam. 

Horticulture,  agriculture  and  stock-raising  are  the  principal  industries. 
The  valley  lands  comprise  about  one-fourtli  of  the  area  of  the  county,  and 
are  noted  for  their  productiveness.  The  altitude  varies  from  4500  to  6500 
feet,  and  the  land  slope  is  good  for  ii-rigation.  The  Gunnison  river . and 
numerous  tributaries  drain  the  county,  furnishing  ample  water  for  irrigating 
purposes.  It  possesses  some  of  the  finest  and  most  noted  orchards  in  the 
State,  and  is  especially  famous  for  the  excellence  of  its  apples,  peaches,  pears 
and  grapes.  The  county  has  vast  ranges  that  aie  unexcelled  for  live-stock, 
and  an  abundance  of  unoccupied  agricultural  land  under  ditch.  The  total 
area  now  in  farms  is  estimated  at  65,000  acres,  an  increase  of  25  per  cent, 
for  the  year.  The  estimated  value  of  the  fruit  crop  of  1898  is  placed  at  over 
•$500,000.  There  will  be  an  increased  planting  of  trees  this  year,  and  hun- 
dreds of  new  orchards  will  come  into  bearing. 

Ranchmen  are  beginning  to  raise  sugar  beets  for  feeding  purposes.  The 
yield  per  acre  is  fully  up  to  the  average  on  this  side  of  the  range,  and  the 
percentage  of  sugar  extremely  satisfactory.  If  a beet-sugar  factory  is  estab- 
lished at  Grand  Junction  a large  acreage  of  beets  will  be  planted  here.  Many 
farmers  are  feeding  sugar  beets  this  winter  in  connection  with  alfalfa  to 
lambs  and  hogs  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  whether  they  will  produce 
good  meats. 

The  north  boundary  line  is  formed  by  the  Grand  mesa,  and  has  an  eleva- 
tion of  10,000  feet  above  sea-level.  This  section  is  covered  with  the  rem- 
nants of  a flow  of  basalt.  In  the  eastern  and  southeastern  parts  of  the 
county  spurs  and  buttes  from  the  West  Elk  Mountains  occur,  composed  of 
volcanic  rocks.  With  these  exceptions,  the  county  is  made  up  almost 
entirely  of  Cretaceous  and  Tertiary  sedimentary  stratas. 

The  mineral  resources  are  practically  undeveloped.  Coal  beds  of  seem- 
ingly good  quality  outcrop  throughout  the  county,  but  are  not  worked  beyond 
supplying  local  demand.  The  same  is  applicable  to  the  building  stone.  Met- 
alliferous mines  occur  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  county,  but  remain  unde- 
veloped and  practically  not  prospected. 


COLORADO. 


56 

Delta  is  the  county-seat  and  principal  business  center.  It  occupies  a 
south-central  position,  and  is  located  on  a delta  at  the  junction  of  the  Gun- 
nison and  Uncompahgre  rivers. 


DOLORES. 

Here  the  agricultural  interests  have  but  a weak  foothold,  although  in  the 
western  part  there  is  a large  quantity  of  fertile  land.  The  county  is  one- 
third  mountainous,  and  consequently  the  chief  source  of  wealth  is  the  mining 
industry.  In  the  eastern  portion  there  are  forests  of  quaking  asp  and  spruce 
timber.  The  valleys  of  the  East  and  West  Dolores  rivers  are  rich  and  well 
populated,  and,  like  the  average  of  mountain  counties,  there  is  an  abundance 
of  water  in  the  creeks.  Rico,  the  county-seat,  is  the  most  important  town, 
and  has  an  altitude  of  8500  feet.  In  extent  the  county  has  1000  square 
miles  and  supports  a population  of  1498,  mostly  from  the  Easteri)  States,  and 
composed  largely  of  a class  of  people  who  drift  to  a mining  country.  Dolores 
was  created  in  1SS1  from  the  southern  part  of  Ouray  county.  The  valuation 
at  that  time  was  $345,000.  For  1898  the  valuation  was  $466,284.  The  gen- 
eral character  of  the  mineral  formation  is  lime,  porphyry  and  some  quartzite. 
The  veins  are  fissure  and  contact.  In  1878  the  first  ore  discovery  was  made, 
and  the  product  now  is  mostly  silver.  There  is  some  gold  in  the  ore.  The 
Pioneer  and  the  Lone  Cone  are  the  mining  districts,  with  six  well-developed 
mines.  The  output  of  gold,  silver,  copper  and  lead  this  year  is  $191,915.12. 
There  is  one  concentrator  and  one  reduction  works,  and  the  prospect  for 
mining  is  flattering.  Coal  is  found  in  the  sandstone  formation,  and  the  iron 
that  abounds  is  only  used  for  flux  for  smelting.  Coal  mining  is  yet  in  its 
infancy.  There  are  great  beds  on  both  sides  of  Dolores  river  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  Rico.  The  banks  at  Grand  View  and  at.  Pasadena  are  the  only 
extensive  developments  thus  far  made.  West  of  Rico  are  the  unoccupied 
public  lands,  all  of  which  are  available  for  agriculture.  Brick  clay  is  plen- 
tiful, and  there  are  immense  quantities  of  lime  and  good  building  stone.  The 
Hot  Springs  on  the  West  Dolores,  about  twelve  miles  from  Rico,  are  medici- 
nal, and  the  virtues  that  have  made  the  waters  of  other  watering  places  in 
the  State  celebrated  are  claimed  for  those  of  Dolores.  The  climate  is  de- 
lightful. Upon  the  construction  of  the  railroads  the  lumber  interests  will 
become  a strong  inducement  for  investment. 

DOUGLAS. 

Douglas  is  a well-watered  and  wooded  county  lying  between  Arapahoe 
county  on  the  north  and  El  Paso  county  on  the  south.  Platte  river  bounds 
it  on  the  west,  and  on  the  east  lies  the  flourishing  county  of  Elbert.  The 
soil  is  a sandy  loam  adapted  to  farming  and  stock-raising.  At  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Territory,  Douglas  county  was  created  and  named  in  honor  of 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  of  Illinois.  The  population  is  3500,  the  principal  towns 
being  Castle  Rock  and  Sedalia.  The  people  are  prosperous  and  happy.  At 
Russellville,  on  Cherry  creek,  is  where  gold  was  discovered  in  early  days, 
and  the  placers  have  only  been  worked  spasmodically  since.  The  ore  is  well 
distributed,  and  will  not  pay  to  be  worked.  There  are  good  public  schools  in 
the  county.  Denominationally,  the  community  is  evenly  distributed  among 
the  Methodist,  Episcopal  and  Catholic  churches.  Three-fourths  of  all  the 
lands  are  available  for  agriculture,  and  the  remaining  fourth  is  grazing  land 
only.  Irrigation  ditches  are  not  much  in  demand,  owing  to  the  frequent 
falls  of  rain.  Douglas  is  one  of  the  counties  to  which  the  rain  belt  theorists 
point  as  an  exemplification  of  the  fact  that  crops  can  be  raised  successfully 
in  Colorado  without  irrigation.  Fruit  culture  is  becoming  a success,  espe- 
cially the  apple  and  other  temperate  zone  varieties.  Raspberries,  grapes, 
currants  and  strawberries  are  also  raised  with  profit.  Plenty  of  soft  coal  is 


COLORADO. 


57 


found  in  the  different  parts  of  the  county,  but  it  is  not  extensively  worked. 
Lava  stone  of  different  colors  is  quarried.  It  is  a fine  building  material. 
The  Highline  canal  runs  through  the  'county  on  its  way  toward  Denver. 
The  Colorado  & Southern  Railway  crosses  the  county.  There  is  no  alkali, 
the  water  is  pure,  and  the  elevation  is  such  as  to  make  Douglas  a desirable 
sanitarium.  Dairying  has  increased,  and  there  are  six  separators  in  opera- 
tion and  a cheese  factory.  The  number  of  pounds  of  butter  produced  in  the 
county  was  550,000,  which,  at  an  average  price  of  twenty  cents,  yielded 
-$110,000.  Of  cheese  there  was  125,000  pounds,  worth  $12,500.  There  was 
20,000  gallons  of  sweet  milk  and  1000  gallons  of  cream  shipped.  The  hen 
produced  225,000  dozen  eggs  at  an  average  price  of  twelve  cents  per  dozen. 
The  total  of  the  dairying  interests  and  eggs  makes  $155,000. 

One  thousand  calves  were  sold  for  veal  at  an  average  price  of  $15,  and 
2000  steers  and  fat  cows  were  marketed  at  an  average  of  $38.  Fifteen  hun- 
dred hogs  at  an  average  of  $3  per  head  were  marketed,  swelling  the  revenue 
from  the  sale  of  stock  to  almost  $100,000.  The  following  is  taken  from  the 
books  of  the  county  assessor  and  shows  the  amount  of  grain  and  farm  pro- 
duce: Eight  thousand  tons  of  alfalfa,  9000  tons  of  hay,  10,000  bushels  of 

oats,  30,000  bushels  of  wheat,  25,000  bushels  of  rye,  2000  bushels  of  barley, 
9000  tons  of  fodder,  60,000  bushels  of  corn. 

The  assessor’s  books  show  that  there  are  13,320  head  of  cattle  of  all 
kinds,  an  increase  of  1170  head.  There  are  3183  head  of  horses  and  mules, 
an  increase  of  seventy-one  head. 

The  inducements  for  settlers  are  a splendid  farming  and  dairying  country, 
a healthful  climate,  with  soil  and  water  unsurpassed.  The  markets  in  Den- 
ver are  easily  reached,  and  the  social  conditions  of  the  community  are 
desirable. 

EAGLE. 

The  county  takes  its  name  from  the  Eagle  river.  It  has  2000  square  miles 
and  3725  inhabitants.  The  Eagle  and  Grand  rivers  and  their  tributaries 
water  the  soil  abundantly,  hence  the  heavy  growth  of  timber  and  the  adapta- 
tion of  the  valleys  for  agriculture.  The  soil  is  a fertile,  sandy  loam,  with 
a subsoil  of  gravel.  Red  Cliff,  the  county-seat,  has  384  population.  The 
other  important  towns  are  Gilman  and  Mitchell.  Since  18S3,  when  it  was 
created  from  Summit,  the  county  has  prospered.  The  assessed  valuation  is 
#1,173,331.  Gold,  silver  and  lead  have  been  mined  successfully  since  1879. 
In  1897  the  estimated  output  was  $101,132.02.  Never  in  the  history  of  the 
county  has  there  been  such  an  activity  in  mining  as  at  present.  The  future 
for  Eagle  is  full  of  encouragement  and  hope.  Mining  and  stock-raising 
have  doubled  over  their  value  in  1S97.  Hundreds  of  acres  of  new  land  have 
been  brought  under  cultivation,  and  the  crops  produced  under  the  thorough 
system  of  irrigation  have  been  very  abundant. 

The  Battle  Mountain  mining  district  has  made  great  progress.  The  rich 
strikes  made  by  lessees  on  the  Ground  Hog  and  other  mines  recently  at- 
tracted attention  to  such  an  extent  that  the  visits  of  mining  men  are  of 
almost  daily  occurrence,  .new  capital  is  being  invested  and  there  is  more 
ground  at  present  being  worked — principally  under  lease — than  ever  before 
in  the  history  of  the  county. 

The  other  districts  of  Taylor  Hill,  Holy  Cross,  Fulford,  Lake  Creek  and 
the  Gore  Range  are  also  receiving  attention. 

The  mining  revival  in  Leadville  and  here  has  given  an  impetus  to  the 
mine  timber  business,  and  that  industry  has  trebled  in  the  last  six  months. 
Some  timber-cutters  have  contracts  with  Leadville  mines  to  supply  them 
with  timbers  for  a year  to  come,  and  the  coming  year  will  witness  an  amount 
■of  activity  in'  this  line  and  a demand  on  our  forest  reserves  unprecedented  in 
the  history  of  the  county.  Already  it  is  hustling  the  woodmen  to  supply  the 
market. 


58 


COLORADO. 


ELBERT. 

Elbert  has  1854  square  miles,  about  one-tliird  of  which  is  railroad  land. 
It  was  organized  in  1874  and  named  in  honor  of  Governor  Samuel  H.  Elbert. 
Agriculture  and  grazing  are  the  industries,  the  ranches  are  fine,  the  cattle 
fat  and  plenty,  there  is  plenty  of  water,  and  timber  grows  everywhere  in 
abundance.  It  is  one  of  the  promising  counties  of  the  great  Divide  country. 
The  loam  soil  is  rich  and  deep,  the  surface  undulating  and  without  irrigation 
crops  are  produced  equal  in  size  and  quality  to  crops  gathered  in  any  part  of 
the  State.  The  population  is  about  4000,  and  the  most  important  town  is 
Elizabeth,  a place  of  500  population,  located  on  the  Colorado  & Southern 
Railway.  The  other  towns  are  Elbert  and  Iviowa,  the  latter  being  the 
county-seat.  The  peculiarity  of  the  people  is  that  residents  of  six  years  or 
more  are  all  wealthy  and  the  late  settlers  arc  prosperous  and  contented. 

A reliable  farmer,  living  six  miles  west  of  Elbert,  states  that  the  returns 
in  cash  from  his  potato  crop,  in  a recent  year,  was  $137.50  per  acre.  One 
field  on  the  same  farm  this  season  threshed  out  sixty-two  bushels  of  oats  per 
acre.  This  was  on  land  that  has  been  under  constant  cultivation  for  twenty- 
five  years,  without  a pound  of  fertilizer  or  manure  and  without  irrigation. 
Prices  of  land  range  from  $4  to  $12  per  acre,  according  to  improvements 
and  distance  from  railroads.  The  farm  just  mentioned  changed  hands  lately 
at  $8  per  acre.  Oats  seven  feet  high  are  grown  without  irrigation.  The  Col- 
orado & Southern  Railway  runs  through  the  western  part  of  the  county, 
furnishing  shipping  facilities.  There  is  a ready  home  cash  market  for 
everything  the  farm  produces. 

The  export  shipments,  in  car  lots,  for  the  past  year  are  as  follows:  Pota- 
toes, 102;  wheat,  101,  oats,  81;  corn,  26;  cattle  and  hogs,  126.  These  figures 
cover  only  a narrow  strip  in  the  western  part  of  the  county.  The  figures 
from  the  eastern  part  are  not  available. 

Butter,  eggs  and  poultry  exported  amounted  to  thousands  of  dollars.  The 
stock  interest  is  on  a solid  basis.  The  long-horned  steer  has  long  since  taken 
his  departure.  His  place  has  been  taken  by  the  Galloway,  Hereford,  Short- 
horn and  other  noted  breeds. 

There  is  no  county  that  produces  a better  class  of  horses.  The  little 
broncho  is  succeeded  by  the  Clydesdale,  Hambletonian,  French  coach,  Nor- 
man and  other  breads. 

The  altitude  of  the  country  above  sea  level  ranges  from  6000  to  7000  feet. 

Here  is  the  most  productive  and  enduring  soil,  the  finest  grazing  land,  the 
purest,  clearest  water,  plenty  of  timber,  hard  roads,  summer  and  winter, 
bright  sunshiny  days  the  year  round;  the  summer’s  heat  relieved  by  cool, 
refreshing  breezes,  no  malaria  or  fever  and  no  snakes  nor  mosquitoes;  win- 
ters mild  and  dry;  an  efficient  public  school  system,  church  and  Sabbath- 
school  privileges  and  a kind,  thrifty,  intelligent  people.  The  town  of  Elbert, 
the  principal  town  in  the  county,  is  nearly  midway  between  Denver  and 
Colorado  Springs. 

EL  PASO. 

This  is  the  county  of  Pike’s  Peak,  of  Manitou  and  of  Colorado  Springs. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  advertised  sections  in  the  West,  as  may  be  seen  by  the 
volume  of  travel  which  pours  constantly  in  from  the  East  and  South.  No 
other  county  has  such  a wealth  of  natural  attractions.  What  these  are  is 
known  to  the  reading  world  by  means  of  the  railroad  folder  and  by  other 
railroad  advertising.  El  Paso  derives  its  name  from  the  Mexican  words 
“the  pass,”  which  were  more  significant  in  the  days  of  the  county’s  organi- 
zation than  at  present,  when  Colorado  City  stood  at  the  very  gate  to  the 
mystic  region  on  the  Western  Slope.  Colorado  City  was  at  that  time  the 
capital  of  the  Territory,  and  when  that  honor  was  taken  from  it  the  town 


COLORADO. 


59 


sunk  into  apathy,  and  in  a broken-hearted  fashion  barely  existed  until  the 
completion  of  projected  railroads,  when  the  erection  of  shops  brought  new 
life  and  converted  the  dead  village  into  a bustling  city,  rivaling  in  energy 
the  promt  --^ster-eity  a few  miles  distant.  Manitcu  also  has  grown  until 
now  its  jtioi^es  are  sung  wherever  . the  English  tongue  is  spoken.  Here  the 
soda  sprffigs,  the  iron  and  the  sulphur  bubble  up  in  the  street,  and  through 
the  summer  months  thousands  upon  thousands  of  tourists,  invalids  and 
sightseers  gather  to  sip  the  healing  waters.  Colorado  Springs  is  the  sec- 
ond city  in  Colorado.  It,  too,  is  favored  as  a health  resort,  and  is  quite  a 
sanitarium.  Great  wealth  is  concentrated  here,  to  which  is  due,  perhaps, 
the  fact  that  Colorado  Springs  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  as  well  as  most 
healthful  cities  in  the  country.  It  has  opera-houses,  magnificent  hotels  and 
railroad  facilities  in  abundance. 

In  many  respects  the  county  proper  is  similar  to  Elbert.  The  soil  is 
rich,  a portion  of  the  middle  half  is  well  irrigated,  and  a part  of  the  agri- 
cultural lands  is  located  on  the  Divide.  Here  almost  everything  grows. 
Potatoes  and  corn  yield  enormously,  and  rye  and  sorghum  are  raised  with 
profit.  In  the  eastern  part  there  is  a great  quantity  of  range  upon  which 
many  head  of  cattle,  horses  and  sheep  graze. 

The  Colorado  & Southern  Railway  extends  from  the  north  to  south 
through  the  center.  The  county  is  peculiarly  rich  in  coal.  At  Franceville 
there  are’ large  mines  operated  profitably,  and  the  supply  is  inexhaustible. 
In  El  Paso  county  there  are  many  acres  under  irrigation,  and  . the  aggre- 
gate for  pasture  is  1,200,000  acres.  Prom  312  acres  6000  bushels  of  wheat 
have  been  raised;  from  2892  acres,  59,000  bushels  of  oats;  from  11S  acres, 
3000  bushels  of  barley;  from  462  acres,  5165  bushels  of  rye;  from  700  acres, 
over  20,000  bushels  of  corn;  from  1979  acres,  158,975  bushels  of  potatoes; 
from  2S6  acres,  50S  tons  of  timothy;  from  eighty  acres,  119  tons  of  clover; 
from  870S  acres  9152  tons  of  native  grass;  from  1037  acres,  3779  tons  of 
alfalfa.  Small  fruits  grow  in  abundance  and  the  quality  is  finer  than  can  be 
raised  anywhere  in  the  East.  Over  100.000  pounds  of  butter  were  produced 
last  year,  and  cheese  17,000  pounds;  the  honey  produced  by  the  apiaries 
exceeds  2000  pounds.  Sheep  and  cattle  raising  form  a great  industry. 


FREMONT. 

Here  is  the  chief  source  of  Colorado’s  great  supply  of  oil.  In  other  re- 
spects it  is  a prosperous  county.  Farming,  stock-raising,  horticulture,  wells 
and  refineries,  and  coal  mining  all  add  to  its  great  wealth.  It  is  one  of 
the  origial  counties;  has  1390  square  miles,  and  was  named  in  honor  of 
General  Fremont,  the  “pathfinder.”  Its  population  is  20,000.  Canon  City, 
the  home  of  the  penitentiary  and  the  county-seat  of  the  county,  has 
6000  inhabitants.  The  public  buildings  at  Canon  City  are  built  of  stone, 
the  county  buildings  alone  costing  $35,000.  Two-thirds  of  the  county  is 
covered  with  forests  of  pine  and  spruce  in  the  western  part,  and  pinon, 
cedar  and  cottonwood  on  the  river  bottoms.  The  Arkansas  river  runs 
through  the  whole  length  of  the  county,  which,  together  with  the  numer- 
ous creeks,  is  sufficient  to  water  every  foot  of  the  tillable  land.  The  soil  is 
of  sandy  loam,  excellent  for  horticulture. 

The  county  has  91.895  acres  of  agricultural  land  and  79.229  acres  of  coal 
and  grazing  lands.  There  are  5798  horses,  189  head  of  mules,  577  pigs, 
14,913  cattle.  The  assessor’s  valuation  of  city  property  within  the  county 
is  $1,449,998. 

There  are  130  miles  of  railroad  and  100  miles  of  telephone  lines. 

Wonderful  progress  has  been  made  in  the  two  leading  cities,  Florence, 
the  petroleum  center,  and  Canon  City,  the  fruit  metropolis.  At  the  former 
place  no  less  than  150  new  buildings  have  been  erected. 


COLORADO. 


60 

Among  the  manufacturing  establishments  is  the  great  plant  of  the  Colo- 
rado Electric  Power  Co.  It  cost  $400,000.  Its  influence  on  mining  methods 
are  felt,  and  it  is  confidently  asserted  that  within  a few  years  transmitted 
electric-power  will  have  entirely  superseded  steam  in  the  CrippWilreek  dis- 
trict. Ground  has  been  broken  for  a $10,000  cold-storage  and  ic',  tbant.  The 
Canon  City  Cider  & Pickling  Co.’s  plant  is  running  full  time.  Two  plants 
for  the  manufacture  of  brick  are  in  constant  operation,  with  a capacity  of 
1,000,000  a week. 

The  petroleum  fields  of  Florence  yield  about  400  barrels  of  refined  oil  a 
day  in  addition  to  the  lubricants  and  crude  oil  used  for  fuel.  In  other  words, 
this  field  produces  2000  barrels  of  crude  oil  per  day. 

The  coal  mines’  output  was  about  680,000  tons,  the  heaviest  for  a number 
of  years. 

Much  attention  has  been  given  during  the  year  to  the  development  of  the 
gold-producing  area  of  the  county,  the  northern  end  being  a continuation  of 
the  Cripple  Creek  belt.  Important  discoveries  of  the  precious  metal  have 
been  reported  at  Bare  Hills,  Marigold  and  on  Current  creek.  At  Bare  Hills 
a cyanide  plant  has  been  erected,  and  at  Current  the  ore  will  be  handled  by 
the  Beam  process,  five  carloads  of  machinery  having  been  ordered  for  the 
mill.  . $ 

There  are  also  three  smelters  for  the  treatment  of  gold  ores  in  operation 
in  the  county — two  at  Florence  and  one  at.  Canon  City.  During  the  month 
of  November  the  Florence  smelters  treated  12,600  tons  of  ore,  with  a bullion 
value  of  .$267,500.  This  is  above  the  average  monthly  treatment  for  the 
year,  but,  placing  the  average  at  10,000  tons  per  month,  the  two  plants  have 
handled  120,000  tons  of  ore  of  an  average  value  of  $27.50  per  ton,  giving  a 
grand  total  of  .$3,300,000. 

In  horticulture  Fremont  leads  the  State  in  the  production  of  small  fruits. 
Strawberries  and  grapes  are  the  strong  point,  while  apples  take  next  place. 
The  strawberry  crop  amounted  to  something  over  60,000  quarts,  returning- 
an  average  of  .$2  per  crate  to  the  producer.  Eighty  thousand  baskets  of 
grapes  is  the  record,  which  exceeds  any  previous  year  by  several  thousand 
baskets.  At  no  time  did  the  price  fall  below  fifteen  cents  a basket.  The 
apple  crop  was  not  up  to  the  average,  and  fell  below  75,000  barrels.  The 
increased  demand  and  ruling  high  prices  are  making  up  for  the  short  crop. 
Fruit  brings  into  the  county  each  year  between  .$300,000  and  $500,000,  and 
the  producing  area  is  constantly  broadening. 


GARFIELD. 

In  1883  this  county  was  created  from  the  southwestern  part  of  Summit 
county,  and  named  in  honor  of  President  .Tames  A.  Garfield.  It  is  two- 
tliirds  mountainous  and  the  remainder  abounds  in  running  streams  and 
fertile  valleys.  The  soil  is  a sandy  loam,  capable  of  a high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. With  a population  of  10,000,  it  is  forging  ahead  as  one  of  the  most 
prosperous  of  the  Pacific  slope  counties.  Glenwood  Springs  is  the  county- 
seat,  with  a population  of  1500. 

Garfield  county  has  underlying  it  and  extending  across,  the  entire  county 
an  inexhaustible  quantity  of  coking  and  other  coal.  Many  thousand  acres 
are  owned  and  operated  by  the  Colorado  Fuel  & Iron  Co.,  giving  employment 
to  hundreds  of  coal  miners  and  their  families,  the  principal  shipping  mines 
being  located  at  New  Castle,  Cardiff  and  Sunlight.  A number  of  smaller 
corporations  and  individuals  are  also  operating  new  mines.  A new  rival  in 
the  coal  industry  has  recently  developed  in  the  Northern  Coal  Co.,  located 
and  operating  on  Four-Mile  creek  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county,  giving 
employment  to  about  350  miners. 


COLORADO. 


61 


The  greatest  increase  in  Garfield  county  has  been  in  raising  cattle.  The 
sections  showing  the  most  increase  in  this  branch  are  in  the  northwestern 
portion,  in  the  vicinity  of  Rifle,  from  which  town  large  shipments  have  been 
made.  Carbondale,  in  the  more  southern  part  of  the  county,  is  also  devot- 
ing attention  to  cattle.  The  increase  in  the  county  equals  fully  25  per  cent., 
the  returns  by  the  county  assessor  showing  the  number  in  1S98  as  14,656, 
against  11,200  in  1897.  Many  stockmen  have  entered  extensively  in  breed- 
ing horses. 

The  most  promising  enterprise  in  irrigation  is  the  contemplated  building 
of  a canal  carrying  water  from  White  river  in  Rio  Blanco  county  into  Rifle 
creek,  a section  which  has  practically  been  without  irrigation  since  the 
breaking  of  the  Grass  Valley  reservoir  a few  years  since.  Its  length  will  be 
.about  thirty  miles  and  its  cost  $35,000. 

Another  important  improvement  which  has  been  made  is  the  building 
of  a flour  mill  on  the  Roaring  Fork  river,  two  miles  south  of  Glenwood 
Springs.  The  mill  is  turning  out  fifty  barrels  of  flour  per  day. 

Glenwood  Springs  is  one  of  the  most  noted  resorts  for  invalids  in  the 
country,  rivaling  in  popularity  the  famous  Hot  Springs  of  Arkansas.  There 
are  ten  large  springs  and  a number  of  smaller,  the  largest  of  which  has  an 
outflow  of  4000  gallons  per  minute.  From  the  ten  springs  there  is  an  out- 
flow of  8000  gallons  per  minute.  Yampa,  the  largest  of  the  group,  is 
located  on  what  was  once  an  island  in  the  ri/er  channel,  but  is  n,ow  con- 
verted into  a garden,  in  the  midst  of  which  are  the  mammoth  bathhouses. 
These  springs  are  more  than  twenty  times  as  copious  as  the  Hot  Springs  at 
Arkansas.  They  are  alkaline,  saline,  sulphuric,  chalybeate,  caloric  and 
thermal.  The  extreme  temperature  of  the  water  is  126.4  degrees.  The 
number  of  grains  of  solid  contents  or  minerals,  to  the  gallon,  varies  from 
1.243  to  1.254,  while  the  next  strongest  spring  in  the  United  States  is  at  Las 
Vegas,  where  there  are  60%  grains  to  the  gallon.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that 
these  springs  possess  in  a marked  degree  the  qualities  of  six  out  of  the 
seven  classes  of  mineral  springs  in  the  United  States.  One  of  the  most 
wonderful  of  the  springs  is  that  found  in  a natural  cave  in  the  mountain 
side.  The  cave  is  fifteen  feet  high,  and  forms  a large  chamber  with  solid 
stone  walls.  The  hot  spring  in  this  cave  furnishes  a natural  Russian  bath 
which  cannot  be  excelled.  The  sanitarium  feature  alone  will  make  Gar- 
field a great  county. 

GRLPIN 

Was  named  after  the  first  Governor  of  Colorado,  the  Hon.  William 
Gilpin.  “The  Kingdom  of  Gilpin”  is  the  popular  term  by  which  it  is 
known,  so-called  from  its  exceedingly  richness  in  gold  and  its  enor- 
mous mineral  output  from  year  to  year.  Geographically,  it  is  located 
a little  north  of  Central  Colorado.  Its  boundaries  are  Jefferson  on  the 
east,  Clear  Creek  on  the  south,  Clear  Creek  and  Grand  counties  on 
the  west,  and  Boulder  on  the  north.  It  is  situated  directly  in  the 
gold  and  silver  belt.  Its  population  is  12,000,  of  which  Central  City, 
the  county-seat,  has  5,000 ; Black  Hawk,  1,067  ; Nevadaville,  933 ; Rus- 
sell Gulch,  673.  The  population  is  from  all  parts  of  the  Union.  Gil- 
pin was  formed  from  the  mountain  territory  of  Jefferson  county,  work- 
ing under  the  provisional  government,  and  was  reorganized  by  the  first 
Territorial  Legislature  in  1861.  Russell  Gulch,  an  unimportant  place  at 
present,  was  one  of  the  objective  points  for  the  gold  hunters,  and  later, 
after  the  county  thereabouts  became  more  thickly  populated,  as  richer 
strikes  followed,  that  section  of  the  State  became  the  scene  of  many  excit- 
ing episodes.  Miners’  courts  promulgated  all  the  law  that  was  recognized 
at  that  time,  and  the  justice  then  dispensed  was  of  a character  that 
demanded  respect.  Gilpin  eofinty  is  the  cradle  of  Colorado's  progress.  It 
was  in  Gilpin  county  that  Greer  Russell  and  his  party,  from  Georgia,  found 


G2 


COLORADO. 


the  rich  placers  in  1859,  the  discovery  of  which  electrified  the  country  and 
started  westward  the  tide  of  immigration.  John  Gregory  followed  Russell, 
locating  the  placers  on  the  north  fork  of  Clear  creek.  Since  that  early  day 
the  gold  output  cf  Gilpin  is  stated  as  follows  in  the  official  reports: 


1859  to  1S72 

1886  

1872  

1.389.286 

1887  

. . . . 2,479,187 

1873  

1,530,000 

1888  

2,695,157 

1874  

1,631,863 

1889  

3,334,300 

1875  

1,763,985 

1890  

1S76  

2,240,000 

1891  

2,437,757 

1877  

2,203,037 

1892  

2,346,700 

1878  

2,257,000 

1893  

1879  

2,431,291 

1894  

. . . . 2,844,851 

1880  

2,680,000 

1895  

1881  

2,158,930 

1896  

1882  

2,006,516  ■ 

1897  

2,197,384 

1S83  

2,208,989 

1898  

1 884 

2,656,901 

1885  

2,374,175 

Gi-and  total... 

. . . .$87,507,581 

In  the  above  record  an  allowance  of  $6,000,000  should  be  made  for  silver, 
copper  and  lead,  as  these  by-products  were  not  separately  accounted  for  in 
former  years,  when  the  smelters  of  the  State  nn.de  little  or  no  allowance  on 
account  of  their  presence  in  the  gold  ores.  With  this  figure  taken  out  it  will 
be  seen  that  Gilpin  county  has  thus  far  added  $81,500,000  to  the  world’s 
supply  of  the  coveted  metal. 

Gilpin  county  has  a splendid  school  system.  There  are  thirty-three  pub- 
lic schools,  not  including  the  High  School  at  Central  and  the  Aloysius  Acad- 
emy. All  denominations  flourish,  and  have  large  edifices  for  worship.  The 
Colorado  & Southern  and  the  Gilpin  County  Tramway  are  the  railroads,  the 
former  twelve  miles  in  length  and  the  latter  seventeen  miles.  Farming, 
wherever  pursued,  is  profitable.  There  are  18,000  acres  of  land.  Many 
cattle  were  raised  last  year.  The  total  valuation  of  the  county,  as  assessed, 
is  $1,910,479. 

GRAND 

Is  the  county  of  Middle  Park,  a magnificent  stretch  of  country  lying 
between  the  Continental  Divide  on  the  liorth,  the  Front  Range  on  the  east 
and  the  Williams  River  Mountains  on  the  south,  whilst  on  the  west  there 
opens,  most  inimitably,  the  “New  Empire”  of  the  Northwest.  Grand  county 
is  about  fifty  by  sixty  miles  in  extent,  dotted  here  and  there  with  great 
peaks  shooting  up  thousands  of  feet.  The  Grand  river,  with  its  many 
tributaries,  finds  its  source  in  the  northeast  corner,  the  location  of  Grand 
lake,  the  scene  of  the  tragedy,  about  fourteexx  years  ago,  when  several  county 
officials  were  killed  in  a feud  over  the  removal  of  the  records  of  the  county. 
In  1876  the  county  was  organized  from  Summit  county,  and  at  that  time 
the  population  was  about  500.  Since  then  it  has  prospered,  and  in  the  same 
ratio  with  other  counties  has  increased  its  population  till  in  point  of  valu- 
ation it  makes  a record  highly  creditable  as  a stock-raising  county.  In 
this  respect  alone  the  valuation  for  stock  last  year  was  $119,554.  It  may 
thus  be  seen  to  what  an  extent  stock-raising  is  pursued.  And  the  reason  for 
it  is  that  the  Middle  Park  is  one  of  the  most  favorable  places  in  the  State 
for  stock-raising.  Nowhere  are  the  grasses  more  nutritious,  the  water 
better  or  more  abundant,  and  nowhere  in  the  State  is  the  shelter  more  com- 
plete. Here  the  feeding-ground  is  protected  by  the  high  i-anges,  which 
almost  enclose  the  county  in  a circle,  and  for  this  reason  severe  winters  are 
unknown.  A lai'ger  acreage  of  grain  was  sown  in  1898  than  for  many  years 
previous,  and  most  of  the  grain  matured  and  made  good  ci’ops.  All  vege- 
table crops  produced  a fair  average. 


COLORADO. 


63 


As  a pleasure  resort  Grand  county  has  but  few  equals.  The  hot  sulphur 
springs  in  the  center  of  the  park,  and  the  numerous  retreats  among  the 
timbered  growth  on  the  hillsides  and  by  the  river  banks  make  it  an  at- 
tractive place  to  the  lovers  of  nature  in  her  most  pleasing  forms.  Coal 
exists  in  great  quantities.  Considerable  prospecting  and  development  has 
been  done  on  Park  View  Mountain  and  in  a few  other  sections  of  the  park, 
with  the  result  that  rich  and  promising  leads  have  been  opened  up,  and 
another  year  will  witness  the  development  of  a number  of  rich  properties. 
Every  year  Middle  Park  is  attracting  more  attention  from  prospectors  and 
mining  men.  This  section  is  the  richest  mineralized  territory  in  Colorado. 
Grand  county  is  favored  with  good  roads,  a good  school  system,  and  the 
moral  tone  of  the  county  is  good.  The  people  have  push  and  vigor,  and 
the  outlook  for  the  future  is  promising. 


GUNNISON. 

The  Continental  Divide  forms  the  boundary  line  of  this  county  on  the 
east.  Gunnison  was  organized  in  1877  from  a part  of  Lake  county,  and 
named  in  honor  of  Captain  Gunnison.  There  are  3900  square  miles,  most  of 
it  mountains.  That  portion  not  rocky  is  rich  in  soil  and  very  productive. 
Mining,  ranching  and  live-stock  growing  are  the  industries,  and  these  sup- 
port a population  of  6000  people  who  are  mostly  settlers  from  the  Middle 
States.  The  assessed  valuation  in  1898  was  $1,919,072.  Gunnison  City  is 
the  county-seat,  with  large  and  attractive  public  buildings.  There  are  ex- 
cellent schools,  twenty-one  in  number.  The  county  is  a veritable  store- 
house of  all  kinds  of  rich  deposits,  including  gold,  silver,  lead,  copper,  iron, 
steel,  coal,  granite,  marble,  sandstone  and  other  metals.  Development  of 
the  county  has  been  principally  in  its  coal  mines,  although  gold  and  silver 
mines  have  been  opened  up  to  some  extent.  The  deposits  of  iron  are  enor- 
mous, but  have  not  been  thoroughly  developed,  although  some  of  the  hills 
in  the  iron  district  are  literally  mountains  of  iron.  The  county  is  one  of  the 
finest  in  the  world  in  its  scenic  beauty,  the  climate  in  summer  being  mag- 
nificent, and  the  streams  are  swarming  with  trout. 

The  most  important  of  the  industries  of  the  county  at  present,  of  course, 
is  its  coal  mines.  These  are  situated  at  Crested  Butte,  Anthracite,  Ruby 
and  other  points.  The  output  from  them  during  the  year  was  more  than 
$1,000,000.  The  coal  output  consists  of  both  anthracite  and  bituminous,  and 
a large  amount  of  coke  is  also  shipped. 

In  the  gold  belt  of  Gunnison,  which  is  about  seventy  miles  long  and  ten 
miles  wide,  are  some  first-class  producers.  The  development  during  the  year 
has  been  steady  and  little  was  heard  of  them,  but  the  prospectors,  realizing 
that  the  best  way  to  handle  a mine  is  to  develop  it,  have  been  steadily  at 
work  with  good  results.  More  capital  has  come  into  the  district  this  year 
than  ever  before. 

The  silver  mines  of  the  county  are  in  the  northern  part.  At  and  about 
Crystal  some  marvelously  rich  ore  has  been  discovered.  The  marble  beds 
are  also  in  the  Crystal  district.  According  to  experts  who  have  examined 
these  marble  deposits,  they  contain  the  finest  specimens  of  marble  yet  found 
in  the  United  States.  The  granite  deposits  of  the  county  are  very  fine.  The 
State  capitol  building  in  Denver  was  constructed  out  of  granite  from  Gun- 
nison county,  and  no  better  quality  can  be  obtained  at  any  place  in  the 
United  States. 

Besides  gold,  silver,  marble  and  granite,  there  are  found  iron,  copper, 
lead  and  other  metals.  Agriculture,  stock-raising,  dairying  and  other  kin- 
dred pursuits  are  important.  There  are  about  30,000  acres  of  irrigated  land 
in  cultivation  and  the  crops  consist  of  wheat,  oats,  barley,  rye,  potatoes  and 
native  and  tame  grasses.  The  butter  product  for  the  year  amounted  to 
50,000  pounds.  There  are  about  20,000  head  of  cattle  pastured  on  the 
ranges  and  13.000  sheep.  The  output  for  the  year- of  the  county  is  more 
than  $2,250,000. 


04 


COLORADO. 


HINSDALE. 

Hinsdale  county  was  created  in  1875  from  that  portion  of  the  Ute 
Reservation  opened  for  settlement  in  1874.  The  rich  mineral  counties  of 
Gunnison  and  San  Juan  bound  it  on  the  north  and  west,  on  the  east 
Saguache  and  Rio  Grande,  and  on  the  south  Archuleta.  Mining  and  stock- 
raising  are  the  chief  sources  of  income.  The  valuations  are  $430,635.  Hins- 
dale is  the  source  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  rivers  of  San  Juan,  Gunnison 
and  Rio  Piedra  rise  in  the  mountains  of  the  San  .Tuan,  which  range  crosses 
the  center.  Lake  City  is  the  county-seat.  It  is  populated  mostly  from  the 
Central  and  Eastern  States,  who  are  moderately  prosperous  and  confident 
of  the  future.  While  there  are  no  extremely  wealthy  men,  there  are  no 
paupers  in  the  county.  There  are  good  public  schools.  Tire  Presbyterian, 
Baptist,  Christian  and  Catholic  denominations  care  for  the  community’s 
morals.  Total  acres  of  land  available  for  hardy  vegetables  and  grain,  5000; 
the  total  acreage  available  for  grazing  only,  215,000. 

The  county  is  divided  into  the  districts  of  Lake,  Galena,  Park  and  Car- 
son,  and  the  general  character  of  the  mineral  formation  is  eruptive  granite, 
gneiss,  schist,  porphyry,  the  ores  being  in  quartz,  lime  and  slate.  The 
county’s  output  for  the  year  1897  was:  Gold,  $168,171.12;  silver,  $145,- 

210.17;  lead,  $187,591.96 — a total  of  $500,983.25.  There  are  in  operation 
twenty- seven ^ mines,  two  stamp  mills,  and  about  500  miners  depend  upon 
the  industry  for  support.  There  are  coal  and  iron,  but  owing  to  the  lack 
of  facilities  no  effort  has  yet  been  made  to  develop  them.  The  advantages, 
though  unimproved,  are  superior,  and  consist  of  hot  and  mineral  springs, 
fine  hunting  and  fishing.  Uncompahgre  Peak,  near  Lake  City,  rises  in 
magnificent  view  from  the  railroad,  and  two  miles  distant  is  San  Christoval, 
the  most  beautiful  lake  in  the  State.  Unrivaled  advantages  for  mining 
investments  for  the  capitalist,  and  a,  fine  climate  for  those  suffering  from 
consumption  and  rheumatism,  are  the  inducements  offered  settlers. 

HUERFANO. 

Of  the  population  of  Huerfano  county,  one-tliird  is  Mexican.  Walsen- 
burg,  the  principal  town,  has  928  inhabitants;  La  Yeta,  361:  Rouse,  580,  and 
Picton,  300.  Stock,  agriculture  and  mining  are  the  industries.  The  county 
was  organized  in  1860  from  parts  of  Pueblo  and  Las  Animas  counties. 
“Orphan  Butte,”  on  the  banks  of  Huerfano  river,  is  the  derivation  of  its 
name.  Walsenburg  is  the  county-seat,  and  is  provided  with  a courthouse 
and  jail.  The  county  cannot  be  beaten  for  grazing  land.  The  best 
grazing  lands  lie  along  the  Huerfano  and  Santa  Clara  rivers.  In  the  valley 
of  the  former  alone  it  is  estimated  that  10,000  cattle  and  as  many  sheep 
have  grazed  during  the  past  summer,  and  probably  as  many  in  the  valley  of 
the  Santa  Clara.  The  value  of  cattle  shipments  during  the  year  will  reach 
$400,000,  there  being  over  4000  cars.  The  raising  of  blooded  stock  is  a new 
industry.  In  Middle  Creek  valley  there  is  a herd  of  350  thoroughbred  reg- 
istered Hereford  cattle,  which  are  valued  at  $30,000.  The  value  of  the  wool 
output  for  1S98  was  $75,000.  The  wool  was  of  superior  quality,  being  soft 
and  white,  and  much  sought  after. 

There  are  14,000  acres  under  cultivation  along  four  streams,  the  Huer- 
fano, Santa  Clara,  Apache  and  Cucharas.  These  streams  furnish  abundant 
water  for  the  cultivation  of  this  land,  but  before  much  more  can  be  re- 
claimed it  will  be  necessary  to  build  storage  reservoirs.  This  county  presents 
a profitable  field  for  such  enterprises. 

The  production  of  wheat  during  1898  was  about  90,000  bushels,  with 
about  40,000  bushels  of  other  grain.  There  is  a large  quantity  of  alfalfa 
raised,  the  value  being  about  $15,000.  The  yield  is  about  two  and  one-half 
tons  to  the  acre.  Fruit-raising  is  being  developed,  although  the  orchards 


COLORADO. 


65 


are  yet  too  young  to  produce  large  yields.  Apple-raising  is  developing  into 
a paying  industry  along  the  streams. 

Coal  mining  is  the  great  industry  of  the  county.  The  mines  send  out  an 
enormous  tonnage  to  Nebraska  and  Kansas,  as  well  as  to  Colorado  towns 
and  cities.  The  coal  tields  cover  an  area  of  about  30,000  acres.  Thirty- 
eight  thousand  cars  of  coal  were  shipped  during  the  year.  The  mines  em- 
ployed over  1000  men  regularly,  with  an  average  pay-roll  of  about  $50,000 
per  month,  or  $600,000  for  the  year.  All  mines  are  producing  to  their  fullest 
capacity  and  cannot  supply  the  demand.  The  widening  of  the  narrow- 
gauge  railroad  over  La  Veta  pass  will  give  a still  further  stimulus  to  the 
coal  industry.  At  the  Walsen  Mine  new  electric  machinery  has  been  put 
in  and  an  electric-light  plant  has  been  established.  This  will  enable  a great 
increase  of  output.  The  Robinson  Mine,  situated  one  and  one-half  miles 
west  of  Walsenburg,  has  been  reopened  and  is  doing  a good  business. 


JEFFERSON. 

Jefferson  county  derives  its  name  from  Jefferson  Territory.  It  is  in  the 
center  of  the  State,  half  being  mountainous  country,  and  the  other  half 
foothills  and  prairie.  The  county  contains  725  square  miles,  and  is  watered 
by  the  South  Platte,  north  fork  of  the  South  Platte,  and  Bear,  Clear  and 
Ralston  creeks.  In  the  foothills  many  farms  are  cultivated  where  the 
ordinary  cereals  do  well;  these  do  not  need  irrigation  on  account  of  the 
rains.  The  soil  in  the  eastern  part  is  a rich  loam,  particularly  adapted  to 
fruit-raising.  The  population  is  11,000,  of  which  Golden  has  3000.  Mor- 
rison, Evergreen,  Pine  Grove,  Buffalo  Creek  and  Arvada  are  the  principal 
towns.  Mining  of  coal,  the  manufacture  of  brick,  tile,  pottery,  sewer-pipe, 
gulch  mining,  farming,  stock-raising,  market  gardening,  the  manufacture 
of  paper,  flour  milling,  etc.,  are  the  sources  whence  the  people  get  their 
livelihood.  There  are  no  paupers;  everyone  appears  prosperous  and  happy. 
Created  in  1861,  it  was  one  of  the  original  counties  at  the  time  of  the 
Territorial  organization.  To  this  fact  and  to  its  natural  resources  are, 
perhaps,  due  its  large  manufacturing  interests.  The  valuation  at  the  time 
of  its  organization  was  $166,000.  At  present  the  valuation  is  $1,696,870. 
Jefferson  county  contains  thirty-nine  districts,  with  fifty-three  public  schools. 
The  State  Reform  School  and  the  State  School  of  Mines  are  established  at 
Golden.  The  State  School  of  Mines  has  a faculty  of  fifteen,  with  180 
students.  The  school  is  the  finest  school  of  its  kind  in  the  world.  All  de- 
nominations flourish.  There  are  66,749  acres  of  agriculture  and  213,471 
acres  of  grazing.  Silver,  gold,  copper,  lead  and  iron  are  the  minerals 
mined;  gold  in  placer  and  quartz,  and  silver  in  lead  and  copper  ores.  Gulch 
mining  began  near  Golden  in  1859,  and  these  placers  were  the  scenes  of 
great  excitement  during  those  early  days.  But  Golden’s  prosperity  rises  not 
from  the  mineral  in  its  hills,  but  rather  from  its  manufactures.  The  Gol- 
den Paper  Mills,  a smelter  turning  out  $1,000,000  in  bullion  in  a year,  the 
brick  and  tile  sewer  works,  a broom  factory,  two  large  and  prosperous  flour- 
ing mills,  two  brickyards,  one  of  the  largest  breweries  in  the  State,  exten- 
sive coal  deposits,  building  stone  and  lime  quarries,  limekilns,  fire  and  other 
clays  and  cement  are  the  sources  of  the  city’s  wealth.  Golden  is  substan- 
tially built,  has  fine  buildings,  county  and  State;  good  water  works  and 
water  system.  The  railway  to  the  mining  region  of  Central  and  Black 
Hawk  is  the  Colorado  & Southern.  The  city  has  seven  churches,  a good 
opera-house,  a good  hotel,  a public  park  and  every  line  of  business  usually 
found  in  a flourishing  city  is  well  represented  and  prospering. 

Iron  was  discovered  in  1873  and  coal  as  far  back  as  1859.  The  first 
exploration  was  at  Coal  Creek.  Now  four  coal  mines  are  in  operation,  with 
a total  output  during  the  year  1897  of  80,090  tons.  The  industry  is  doing 
well,  and  the  prospect  for  the  future  is  promising.  There  are  seven  large 
irrigating  canals  and  many  small  ditches,  the  extent  of  the  former  being  120 


66 


COLORADO. 


miles.  Golden  possesses  an  iron  spring  of  good  quality.  Bear  creek 
is  lined  with  summer  resorts,  and  the  Platte  is  also  well  provided. 
Prominent  among  these  are  Troutdale,  Evergreen,  Pine  Grove,  Buffalo 
Park  and  Beaver  Brook.  About  $1,000,000  of  raw  material  is  con- 
sumed annually,  the  product  of  the  country,  and  the  markets  for  the 
goods  manufactured  are  New  Mexico,  Colorado,  Wyoming,  Idaho,  Utah 
and  California.  The  most  natural  advantages  and  nearness  to  market, 
a fine  climate,  picturesque  scenery  and  a low  rate  of  taxation  are  the 
inducements  the  county  offers  settlers.  Grazing  flourishes.  Jefferson 
county  is  essentially  an  agricultural  county,  but  has  valuable  mining  prod- 
ucts, such  as  coal  and  clays.  There  are  18,000  head  of  cattle,  5000  head  of 
horses  and  1800  head  of  hogs,  besides  sheep  and  feathered  stock. 


KIOWA. 

This  is  another  of  the  eastern  tier  of  counties,  and  lies  between  Prowers, 
on  the  south;  Cheyenne,  on  the  north,  and  Otero,  on  the  west.  It  was 
created  April  13,  1889.  Kiowa  is  Indian  in  its  derivation.  The  soil  is  a 
dark  sandy  loam,  with  a marl  subsoil.  The  population  is  600,  distributed 
principally  in  the  towns  of  Sheridan  Lake,  the  county-seat;  Galatea,  Eads, 
Arlington,  Chivington,  Towner  and  Stuart.  Agriculture  is  the  chief  de- 
pendency of  the  people,  and  will  so  continue.  Not  for  ten  years  were  crops 
so  bountiful  in  Kiowa  county  as  in  1S98.  The  rainfall  was  above  the 
average.  The  stock  industry  is  paramount,  and  the  prevailing  good  prices 
of  cattle,  sheep  and  wool  have  been  the  principal  element  in  the  prosperity 
of  this  section.  But  little  farming  is  attempted,  but  where  crops  -were 
planted  the  yield  was  good.  One  field  of  corn,  near  Sheridan  Lake,  one  of 
the  highest  points  in  the  county,  averaged  forty  bushels  to  the  acre,  of  course 
without  irrigation.  Hundreds  of  tons  of  wild  hay  were  put  up  from  the 
native  grasses,  chiefly  gramma  and  buffalo  varieties. 

There  have  been  approximately  30,000  head  of  cattle,  20,000  head  of 
sheep  and  5000  head  of  horses  grazed  during  the  summer.  The  herds  be- 
longing to  the  small  ranchmen  range  from  50  to  500  head  of  cattle  and  1000 
to  2000  head  of  sheep.  The  sheep  industry  has  increased  largely,  as  have 
the  holdings  of  small  cattle  ranchmen. 

A creamery  is  running,  with  skim  houses  at  Towner  and  §tewart, 
although  the  high  price  of  calves  has  reduced  the  patronage.  The  butter 
turned  out  is  of  the  best  quality  and  finds  ready  market. 

The  opportunity  for  the  man  with  small  capital  to  invest  in  stock  is  good. 
Plenty  of  cheap  grazing  land,  abundance  of  water,  with  short  winters,  make 
this  a desirable  stock  county.  The  irrigated  portions  of  the  Arkansas  valley 
are  near  enough  to  draw  upon  for  alfalfa  and  grain  in  case  of  a shortage 
of  native  forage.  The  'finest  system  of  storing  reservoirs  and  ditches  in 
the  United  States  is  rapidly  nearing  completion  in  the  south-central  portion 
of  the  county.  These  are  for  storing  the  flood  waters  of  the  Arkansas  river, 
covering  an  area  of  14,122  acres.  These  reservoirs  form  a chain.  Their 
combined  water  supply  is  267,323  acre  feet,  or  11,644,589,880  cubic  feet. 
The  system  will  be  available  for  use  next  season,  and  the  county  will  derive 
development  from  this  source. 

KIT  CARSON. 

This  is  a new  county,  created  in  January,  1889,  from  the  eastern  part  of 
Elbert  county  and  a portion  of  Bent.  It  has  1800  square  miles,  well 
watered  with  the  Republican,  Frenchmen,  South  Fork,  Little  Smoky  and 
Beaver  rivers.  The  country  is  gently  undulating  in  some  sections  and  in 
others  level  as  a floor.  Farming  and  stock-raising  are  the  industries  that 


COLORADO. 


67 


support  the  growing  population.  Burlington,  the  county-seat,  has  300  in- 
habitants; other  towns  are  equally  promising.  The  estimated  school  census 
is  1200.  The  total  number  of  acres  available  for  agriculture  is  1,382,000. 
Railroad  facilities  are  afforded  by  the  Union  Pacific.  For  richness  of  soil 
Kit  Carson  county  is  the  equal  of  any  western  agricultural  county.  The 
taxable  valuation  is  8882,934.50,  in  which  is  included  2122  horses  and 
mules,  88S0  cattle,  5587  sheep  and  450  swine,  etc.,  or  a total  of  17,039  head 
of  farm  animals.  Many  of  the  cattle  are  valuable  animals,  as  farmers  are 
grading  their  stock  up  as  fast  as  possible.  The  export  for  the  county  in 
carloads  for  the  year  was  as  follows:  Cattle,  146;  grain,  76;  broom  corn, 

4;  hay,  32;  mill  products,  12;  horses,  7,  and  wool,  1;  total,  278  cars. 

These  figures  demonstrate  the  fact  that  instead  of  being  in  decline,  the 
grazing  interests  are  keeping  pace  with  the  general  prosperity.  At  least, 
this  is  the  'fact  so  far  as  Kit  Carson  county  is  concerned.  The  Burlington 
Roller  Mills  has  used  30,000  bushels  of  wheat,  all  of  which  was  produced 
in  the  vicinity  of  Burlington,  thereby  producing  6000  barrels  of  flour  and 
200  tons  of  bran.  The  Burlington  Skimming  Station  has  received  in  round 
numbers  360,000  pounds  of  milk  and  distributed  among  its  patrons  $3000 
during  the  year.  Labor  has  bc-en  in  good  demand  at  good  wages.  All  build- 
ings are  occupied  and  many  had  additions  during  the  year.  There  are  few 
ditches,  but  these  were  constructed  by  private  capital.  The  bulk  of  the 
crops  depend  not  upon  irrigation,  but  upon  the  natural  moisture.  Rains 
are  frequent,  and  the  time  is  hot  far  distant  when  the  county  will  be  all 
under  cultivation.  It  is  a part  of  the  “Great  American  Desert,”  so-called, 
but  the  authentic  record  of  crops  to  the  acre  practically  shows  how  far  the 
popular  comprehension  is  from  the  truth  when  it  condemned  this  portion 
of  the  State  as  worthless  land.  Situated  as  Kit  Carson  county  is,  the  peo- 
ple of  that  section  have  the  advantage  of  both  Denver  and  Kansas  City 
markets.  They  have  not  been  slow  in  realizing  this,  as  the  receipts  from 
the  auditor’s  office  of  the  two  trunk  lines  go  to  prove.  The  county  was 
.named  in  honor  of  the  famous  government  scout,  Kit  Carson. 


LAKE. 

This  county,  of  which  Leadville  is  the  center  geographically  as  well  as 
in  point  of  wealth,  lies  directly  behind  the  Park  Range  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  It  is  fifteen  by  twenty-four  miles  in  extent,  having  a box- 
like conformation,  with  the  county  of  Pitkin  upon  the  east,  Eagle  county 
upon  the  north.  Park  county  on  the  west  and  Chaffee  county  on  the  south, 
-all  great  deposits  of  mineral  wealth;  yet  Lake  county  in  the  center  yields 
to  none  of  these  the  palm.  Leadville  is  known  the  world  over.  Great 
fortunes  have  been  made  here  in  the  past,  and  great  fortunes  are  being  made 
today  by  those  developing  its  wonderful  ore  bodies.  There  is  little  else  in 
Lake  county  save  its  mineral,  and  nothing  else  need  there  be,  for  out  of  her 
circumscribed  limits  has  come  a vast  portion  of  the  State’s  wealth.  Much 
of  Denver's  greatness  is  due  the  little  county  on  the  crest,  an  honor  which 
Denver  is  not  loth  to  concede.  The  discovery  of  carbonates  and  the  stirring 
episodes  that  followed  the  Leadville  excitement  are  known  the  world  over; 
stories  of  those  days  are  yet  current  topics  of  conversation,  and  the 
“stranger  within  our  gates”  so  regales  himself  that  to  report  them  or 
traverse  any  of  the  ground  would  be  superfluous.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  all 
that  wild  conjecture  at  that  day  predicted  for  Lead\ille  has  been  even  more 
than  realized,  and  though  seventeen  years  have  elapsed,  the  camp  still 
goes  on  developing  with  no  signs  of  depletion.  The  supply  is  inexhaustible. 
The  total  production  for  the  county  in  189S  was  $2,400,338  in  gold,  $4,277,- 
260  in  silver,  or  a total  of  gold  and  silver  of  $6,678,598;  the  value  of  the 
lead  realized  was  $1,015,952;  copper,  $410,515,  or  a grand  total  of  $8,095,065. 
Up  to  the  present  time  there  is  no  blemish  on  the  bright  luster  of  Leadville’s 


68 


COLORADO. 


record.  During  1S98  the  output  of  all  the  Lake  county  mines,  low  grade 
and  otherwise,  was  close  to  the  figures  which  follow: 


Month.  Tons, 

January,  1200  tons  per  day 37,200 

February,  1200  tons  per  day 33,600 

March,  1200  tons  per  day 37,200- 

April,  1200  tons  per  day 36,000- 

May,’  1200  tons  per  day 37,200 

June,  1200  tons  per  day 36,000 

July,  1200  tons  per  day 37,200' 

August,  1400  tons  per  day 43,400 

September,  1500  tons  per  day 45,000- 

October,  1600  tons  per  day 49,600 

November,  1800  tons  per  day 54,000 

December,  1800  tons  per  day 54, 000- 


Total  tonnage  for  1898  500,400' 


In  arriving  at  the  total  value  of  the  1898  output,  as  given  at  the  head 
of  this  article,  no  allowance  is  made  for  the  iron  and  zinc  by-products. 
These  can  safely  be  estimated  at  $300,000  to  $500,000.  The  zinc  is  marketed, 
at  Canon  City,  while  the  manganese  iron  goes  to  the  Illinois  Steel  Works,, 
near  Chicago,  which  took  close  to  40,000  tons  during  the  past  year.  This 
iron  ore  carried  less  than  one  ounce  in  silver  to  the  ton  and  no  copper  or 
gold.  The  demand  for  it  exceeds  the  local  supply. 

In  both  tonnage  from  the  mines  and  in  values  extracted  at  the  smelters- 
the  year  shows  an  increase  of  25  per  cent,  over  1897.  The  gain  in  gold 
reads  $480,267;  the  gain  in  silver  $855,452;  the  gain  in  lead  over  $200,000, 
and  the  gain  in  copper  $85,000,  due  iri  part  to  the  advance  in  prices  of  the 
metal.  The  gold-producing  mines  made  an  average  output  of  800  tons  per 
month,  or  96,000  tons  for  the  year.  This  was  mainly  contributed  by  the 
Little  Johnny,  Resurrection,  Dolly  B.,  Big  Four,  Monarch,  Penn,  Fanny 
Rawlins,  Garbutt,  Lillian,  Golden  Eagle,  Big  Six  and  Sedalia.  These  are 
all  located  in  the  Breece  Hill  section,  southeast  of  Leadville,  which  is  known 
as  the  gold  belt,  where  development  has  been  active  since  1893,  when  the 
drop  in  silver  turned  the  attention  of  capitalists  and  miners  to  the  gold, 
resources  of  the  camp. 

Mining  so  overshadows  the  other  industries  that  one  supposes  that  noth- 
ing else  is  done.  But  this  impression  is  erroneous.  The  assessed  valuation 
on  23,153  acres  of  land  with  improvements  is  $3,914,679.  There  are  several 
thousand  acres  under  ditch,  and  nearly  10,000  acres  of  pasture.  Many 
tons  of  timothy  and  of  native  grass  were  cut  last  year  to  supply  the  dairy 
interests.  Leadville  makes  a good  market  for  anything  produced  within  her 
easy  reach.  Her  population  is  12,000;  that  of  the  county  is  15,000.  The 
Colorado  & Southern  Railway  enters  Leadville.  The  natural  attractions 
are  the  Twin  Lakes,  a celebrated  resort;  Crystal  Lake  and  the  Soda  Springs. 
Lake  county  is  practically  the  crest  of  the  great  divide,  too  high  for  persons 
afflicted  with,  weak  lungs  or  otherwise  debilitated,  but  those  who  are  ac- 
climated enjoy  existence  in  the  rarefied  air  and  would  not  exchange  it 
for  any  other. 

LA  PLATA. 

This  county  adjoins  the  east  line  of  Montezuma  and  the  Territory  of  New 
Mexico  on  the  south;  Archulota  and  Hinsdale  are  located  on  the  east,  and 
San  Juan  upon  the  north.  Durango,  as  the  center,  is  the  county-seat.  The 
Las  Animas,  with  its  tributaries,  waters  the  rich  soil.  There  are  numerous: 
other  streams  of  Mexican  names  which  flow  southward.  On  the  western 
boundary  line  are  the  La  Plata  Mountains,  from  which  the  county  takes; 


COLORADO. 


69 


Sts  name.  There  are  numerous  little  towns  along  the  line  of  the  railroad, 
■and  the  chief  occupations  of  the  people  are  farming  and  ranching.  This 
county  was  organized  in  1S74  from  parts  of  Costilla,  Conejos  and  Lake,  and 
later  was  itself  divided  and  subdivided  till  it  has  been  cut  down  to  its  pres- 
•ent  size,  sixty  by  forty-five  miles  in  extent.  Its  present  population  is 
estimated  at  5509,  and  its  assessed  valuation  is  $2,245,480.  There  is 
summer  range  in  the  southwest  for  500,000  head  of  stock,  but  only  a small 
proportion  of  this  area  is  used.  Sufficient  feed  can  be  produced  by  the 
farms’for  winter  feeding  as  great  a number  of  stock  as  the  summer  ranges 
will  provide  for.  Durango  is  headquarters  for  112,000  head  of  cattle 
shipped  and  driven  from  the  Southwest  during  the  year.  About  .80,000  head 
•of  New  Mexico  and  Utah  cattle  fed  on  summer  ranges.  It  is  estimated  that 
15,000  tons  of  hay  was  sold  for  stock  feeding  in  the  vicinity  of  Durango. 
The  La  Plata  county  hay  product  was  25,000  tons. 

The  cattle  business,  which  had  been  the  chief  industry  of  this  sectiou 
from  1877  to  1S88,  is  growing  rapidly.  During  1898  71,000  sheep  have 
been  shipped,  and  there  was  sold  $30,000  worth  of  mutton. 

The  production  of  potatoes  for  1898  was  1,250,000  pounds.  Hay  will 
lead  all  in  a few  years,  as  the  demand  for  this  stock-feeding  article  is 
rapidly  growing.  The  saw  mills  cut  5,050,000  feet  of  lumber.  Durango 
marketed  and  shipped  this  as  well  as  the  greater  portion  of  5,500,000  feet 
•cut  by  mills  in  the  county  of  Montezuma.  About  $20,000  worth  of  fruit 
was  marketed.  The  dealers  in  hides  and  wool  have  shipped  300,000  pounds. 
Coal  mines  have  sold  105,000  tons.  Considerable  development  has  been 
performed.  In  one  mine  the  present  producing  capacity  is  1000  tons  per 
•day.  An  altitude  of  6500  feet  and  healthful  climatic  conditions,  with  pure 
water,  makes  Durango  the  home  of  many  well-to-do  people  who  are  engaged 
in  the  industries  of  the  Southwest. 

One  of  the  largest  smelting  plants  in  the  West  is  the  branch  Omaha  & 
■Grant  Works  at  Durango,  where  about  300  men  are  employed.  The  freight 
paid  annually  on  shipments  to  and  from  Durango  is  $750,000.  It  is  the 
shipping  point  for  a large  area. 

There  has  been  a great  deal  of  development  in  the  metalliferous  mines, 
and  while  the  production  has  not  materially  increased,  there  are  ore 
reserves  from  which  large  value  can  be  taken  out  at  any  time. 


LARIMER. 

Larimer  is  not  an  exclusively  agricultural  county,  as  is  generally  sup- 
posed. Only  one-fifth  is  agricultural.  The  area  of  the  county  is  over  4500 
square  miles.  It  is  150  miles  wide  and  nearly  100  miles  long  east  and 
west.  A narrow  strip  in  the  eastern  part  is  agricultural  and  grazing  land, 
and  this  is  well  watered  by  the  Cache  a la  Poudre  and  the  Big  and  Little 
Thompson  rivers,  and  that  portion  that  is  under  irrigating  canals  and  pen- 
etrated by  the  Colorado  & Southern  Railway  has  arrived  at  a high  state 
of  cultivation  and  produces  immense  crops.  The  remainder  of  the  country 
includes  a section  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Range.  The  foothills  rise  about 
three  miles  west  of  Fort  Collins,  and  stretching  westward  to  the  western 
boundary  of  the  county,  iparked  by  the  Continental  Divide,  is  an  immense 
mountain  range,  filled  with  a great  variety  of  minerals  and  other  natural 
resources. 

In  mining  there  has  been  a substantial  advancement.  Camp  Carter  has 
shipped  ore  right  along,  while  the  Empire  Mine,  in  Howes’  Gulch,  has 
become  a good  shipper.  The  placer  mines  of  Independence  Mountain, 
North  Park,  are  good  producers.  There  has  been  no  halt  in  prospecting 
and  the  performance  of  assessment  work,  and  the  number  of  mining-location 
(certificates  being  offered  for  record  is  large.  The  records  of  the  county 


70 


COLORADO. 


show  2337  lode  claims,  five  of  which  are  patented;  968  placer  claims  and 
fifteen  mill  sites  duly  recorded.  During  1897  an  average  of  147  men  were 
actively  engaged  in  mining  and  working  assessments. 

Flanking  the  base  of  the  mountains  is  a series  of  hogbacks  or  ridges 
with  glades  intervening,  exposing  a fine  series  of  building  stone  of  high 
grade  and  almost  inexhaustible  in  quantity.  This  industry  has  received 
considerable  attention.  The  Union  Pacific,  Denver  & Gulf  Railroad  has  a 
branch  line  running  from  Fort  Collins  to  the  well-known  Stout  quarriesr 
which  have  furnished  a large  proportion  of  the  stone  for  street  paving  to  all 
Western  cities.  En  route  this  branch  passes  through  Bellvue  and  by  the 
equally  well  known  red  sandstone  quarries.  This  stone  is  of  exceptionally 
high  grade,  and  while  pronounced  “hard  to  work”  by  the  builders,  possesses- 
all  the  desired  qualities  of  resistance,  durability  and  beauty,  and  is  through 
merit  alone  forcing  itself  upon  the  Eastern  market.  Numerous  quarries 
more  or  less  developed  occur  between  Bellvue  and  Stout.  Lying  north  of 
Bellvue  various  stratas  of  marble  occur,  but  these  are  almost  wholly  unde- 
veloped. South  of  Stout  are  the  Arkins  quarries,  which  have  provided 
large  amounts  of  building  and  paving  stone.  These  quarries  are  tributary 
to  Loveland,  the  second  town  of  importance  in  the  county. 

The  population  of  the  county  is  15,000,  of  which  Fort  Collins  has  4000. 
It  was  organized  early  in  the  sixties  and  named  in  honor  of  General  Larimer, 
who  represented  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  in  the  Territorial  Legislature 
of  Kansas.  The  assessed  valuation  is  about  85,000,000,  upon  an  actual 
value  of  not  less  than  812,000,000.  There  are  sixty-one  public  schools;  an 
agricultural  college  is  established  by  the  State  at  Fort  Collins,  and  Love- 
land has  an  academy.  There  are  numerous  church  organizations,  each 
having  its  own  place  of  worship.  The  Stout  and  Arkins  stone  quarries  are 
among  the  largest  in  the  State,  and  .from  these  fifty  cars  are  shipped  daily, 
mostly  to  Missouri  river  points.  The  railroad  is  the  Colorado  & Southern. 
The  health  resorts  are  Estes  Park;  Rustic,  on  the  Upper  Poudre;  Elkhorn, 
on  Elkhorn  creek,  and  the  mineral  springs  of  North  Park.  The  county  has 
foundries,  flouring  mills,  a cheese  factory  and  several  creameries.  Three 
hundred  thousand  dollars’  worth  of  raw  materials  are  consumed  by  the 
manufactories  of  Larimer  county,  and  the  market  for  the  goods  manu- 
factured is  the  entire  State. 

The  pursuits  of  agriculture  and  stock-growing,  inaugurated  with  the- 
county’s  organization,  still  maintain  a supremacy  over  mining,  although 
the  latter  has  at  all  times  received  more  or  less  attention.  The  geological 
structure  is  in  many  respects  similar  to  that  of  Boulder  and  other  counties- 
lying  in  the  main  upon  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Colorado  Front  Range. 

LAS  ANIMAS. 

U 

The  western  half  of  this  county  is  covered  with  forests;  the  eastern  half 
is  prairie.  Trinidad  is  the  county-seat,  with  a courthouse  costing  $15,000 
and  a jail  $20,000.  In  the  valleys  and  along  the  foothills  the  soil  is  a 
black  loafy  mold;  the  soil  of  the  prairie  is  a clay  and  sandy  loam.  The  popu- 
lation is  17,208,  of  which  Trinidad  has  5523;  other  towns  are  El  Moro, 
Starkville,  Engleville,  Sopris  and  Victor.  Coal  mining  and  coke  manu- 
facture, wool-growing,  live-stock  raising,  farming  and  lumbering  are  the 
industries  of  Las  Animas. 

Las  Animas  county  was  created  in  1866.  and  takes  its  name  from  the 
river  Las  Animas,  which  flows  through  it.  The  Tillotson  Academy  and  the 
St.  Joseph  Academy  are  the  institutes  of  learning,  with  an  adequate  num- 
ber of  public  schools.  Las  Animas  county  has  long  been  in  the  lead  as  to 
coal  production,  but  during  1898  has  mined  on  a grander  scale  than  before. 
In  1896  it  produced  1,331,115  tons,  in  1897  the  production  grew  to  1,424,196: 
tons,  and  in  1898  the  output  reached  1,750,000  tons.  The  coal  fields  era- 


COLORADO. 


71 


brace  by  actual  survey  1050  square  miles,  and  comprise  from  four  to  seven 
veins,  varying  in  rhickness  from  eighteen  inches  to  thirteen  feet.  The 
vein  now  being  worked  by  most  of  the  companies  varies  from  sis  to  twelve 
feet  in  thickness.  There  is  also  an  abundant  supply  of  iron  ore.  About 
forty  miles  from  Trinidad  are  large  deposits  of  alum.  The  Chamber  of 
Commerce  has  been  in  correspondence  with  capitalists,  who  may  develop 
these  deposits.  Good  building  stone  is  of  easy  access. 

Las  Animas  county  is  noted  for  its  sheep  and  cattle.  The  grass  is  ex- 
ceptionally good,  and  there  is  plenty  of  water.  Stock  fattened  rapidly  on 
the  500,000  acres  of  grazing  lands  owned  by  the  ranchmen  and  the  millions 
of  acres  of  government  land  at  their  disposal.  Stock  of  all  kinds  brings 
good  prices. 

Farming  is  done  on  a larger  scale  every  year.  During  1898  crops  were 
exceptionally  good,  except  a small  section  on  the  Purgatoire  river  above 
Trinidad.  The  Purgatoire  river  for  nearly  fifty  miles  west  of  Trinidad  is 
thickly  settled  with  farmers,  who  raise  various  crops,  mainly  of  grain  and 
potatoes.  Below  Trinidad  the  main  product  has  always  been  hay,  but  a 
greater  variety  of  products  is  being  raised  every  year.  In  1898  the  county 
produced  100,000  bushels  of  wheat,  60,000  bushels  of  oats,  20,000  bushels 
of  corn,  15,000  bushels  o-f  barley,  200,000  tons  of  hay,  100,000  bushels  of 
potatoes,  10,000  bushels  of  onions,  10,000  bushels  of  turnips  and  175,000 
pounds  of  cabbage. 

Fruit-growing  is  an  important  industry.  New  orchards  are  being  set 
out  every  year,  and  now  thousands  of  bushels  of  apples  find  their  way  to 
market.  Peaches,  pears,  plums  and  all  the  smaller  fruits  do  well.  Bee 
culture  is  quite  an  industry,  and  thousands  of  pounds  of  honey  are  marketed 
every  year.  The  Colorado  & Southern  Railway  traverses  the  county. 

LINCOLN. 

Lincoln  county  was  created  April  11,  1889,  from  Elbert  and  Bent 
counties.  It  is  distinctly  a stock-growing  county,  agriculture  having  at- 
tained a hold.  Hugo  is  the  county-seat.  There  aie  1S00  square  miles  of 
territory,  well  watered  by  the  Big  Sandy,  Rush  creek,  Adobe  creek  and 
many  smaller  streams  and  springs.  The  valleys  are  moist  and  the  whole 
surface  is  covered  with  rich  grasses.  The  soil  is  a rich  loam  and  is  highly 
productive.  It  has  a population  of  about  1000,  and  th£  towns  are  Hugo, 
Arriba,  Simon,  Bovina  and  Mirage.  The  principal  industry  is  stock-raising, 
yet  the  farm,  poultry  yard  and  the  dairy  are  growing.  Corn,  wheat,  barley, 
oats  and  potatoes  make  good  crops,  and  millet,  soi-gum,  hirse  and  alfalfa 
make  as  good  crops  as  in  any  part  of  the  State.  The  area  of  the  county  is 
1,168,000  acres,  of  which  598,380  acres  are  appropriated  and  970,620  acres 
are  vacant  government  lands.  The  exports  have  been  21  cars  of  wool,  95 
cars  of  cattle,  39  cars  of  sheep.  1 car  of  bones,  125  cases  of  eggs  and  10,000 
pounds  of  butter.  The  imports  were  23  cars  of  corn,  41  cars  of  merchan- 
dise, 18  cars  of  lumber,  19  cars  of  cattle  and  41  cars  of  coal. 

The  financial  condition  of  the  county  is  the  best;  there  is  no  debt,  no 
bonds  and  no  outstanding  warrants.  All  obligations  are  paid  in  cash  and 
taxes  are  at  the  minimum. 

Windmill  irrigation  has  been  thoroughly  tested  and  proven  a success. 
An  abundance  of  water  can  be  obtained  at  depths  of  from  five  to  fifty  feet. 
Apples  and  all  small  fruits  are  grown  successfully  by  irrigation,  and  are  of 
the  best  quality,  and  a few  years  hence  the  valleys  will  show  field,  orchards 
and  gardens  equal  to  any,  with  upland  ranges  unsurpassed. 

For  agriculture  this  is  a virgin  section  with  a million  acres  of  available 
land.  Now  it  is  the  stockman’s  paradise,  for  the  range  is  without  limit  and 
the  wire  fence  of  the  farmers  is  confined.  The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  passes 
through  the  county.  The  county  derives  its  name  from  Abraham  Lincoln. 


COLORADO. 


LOGAN. 

This  county  is  one  of  the  northern  tier  of  counties,  and  is  a part  of  what 
is  known  as  the  rain  belt,  where  crops  are  raised  without  irrigation.  Except 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Limestone  Buttes,  the  country  is  rolling  prairie, 
through  which  the  South  Platte  runs  in  a northeastern  direction.  It  is 
forty-two  by  forty-eight  miles  in  extent.  The  county-seat  is  Sterling,  on 
the  Union  Pacific  Railroad.  Numerous  towns  have  sprung  up  within  the 
last  few  years,  and  the  condition  of  the  country  has  become  greatly  im- 
proved. It  has  63,000  acres  under  irrigating  ditches  and  30,000  acres  for 
pasture.  Crops  of  all  kinds  in  Logan  county  were  better  in  1S98  than  the 
average,  and  local  conditions  have  made  prices  far  above  the  average. 

Ilay  has  advanced  in  price,  occasioned  by  incoming  of  large  bodies  of 
lambs  for  feeding  purposes,  50  per  cent,  more  having  been  shipped  in  this 
year  than  last.  The  incoming  shipments  of  cattle  for  feeding  and  grazing 
purposes  foot  up  11,800  head,  as  against  9500  in  1897. 

Improvements  in  Sterling  consist  of  buildings  amounting  to  over  $17,000, 
as  against  $13,000  the  previous  year.  The  Union  Pacific,  running  through 
the  county,  has  been  a great  and  lasting  help.  The  people  are  enterprising 
and  thrifty,  and  the  increase  in  the  yield  in  crops  promises  hopefully  for  the 
future.  The  great  agricultural  county  of  Weld  is  on  its  eastern  border,  and 
the  new  counties  of  Sedgwick  and  Phillips  on  the  east;  Washington  county 
is  on  the  south.  For  farmers  there  are  inducements  here  as  elsewhere,  and 
farming  pays  as  well,  if  not  better,  in  Logan  county  than  anywhere  west  of 
the  Missouri  river:  at  least,  that  is  the  testimony  of  the  settlers  themselves. 
The  solution  of  this  lies  in  the  fact  that  the  county  has  the  markets  of 
Nebraska  and  Kansas,  and  is  also  in  direct  communication  with  the  mar- 
kets in  Wyoming  and  in  Denver  and  among  the  mining  towns  of  this  State. 
Logan  county  takes  its  name  from  Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  the  volunteer 
soldier  of  Illinois. 

MESA. 

Mesa,  together  with  Delta  and  Montrose  counties,  was,  prior  to  1881, 
the  Ute  Reservation.  Little  was  known  of  it,  and  that  little  was  contrib- 
uted occasionally  by  some  daring  trapper  who  in  a spirit  of  venture  had 
crossed  into  the  forbidden  territory.  But  the  massacre  of  Agent  Meeker 
and  the  annihilation  of  Thornburg  and  his  command  brought  affairs  to  a 
crisis.  The  result  was  a treaty  by  which  the  Indians  gave  up  this  section 
of  the  country  and  moved  to  what  is  known  as  the  Territory  of  Utah. 
There  are  about  1800  square  miles  in  Mesa  county,  through  which  the 
Grand  river  flows.  The  other  streams  are  the  Gunnison,  Dolores,  Plateau 
and  Roan  creeks,  each  with  tributaries.  The  soils  are  of  sandy  loam,  clay 
and  adobe,  extremely  fertile  and  peculiarly  adapted  to  fruit-raising.  The 
population  is  10,000,  of  which  Grand  Junction  has  4000.  Fruita  is  another 
important  town.  Live-stock  raising,  farming  and  coal  mining  are  the 
industries,  and  all  who  are  so  engaged  are  thrifty.  There  are  but  few  set- 
tlers who  have  not  improved  their  condition  since  locating  in  Mesa. 
March,  1883,  is  when  the  county  was  cut  off  from  Gunnison.  Then  the 
valuation  was  $965,600.  Now  the  valuation  is  $2,291,093. 

As  its  name  implies,  a good  portion  of  the  county  consists  of  high  mesas 
or  table  lands.  There  are  many  public  schools  in  the  county,  and  the 
churches  established  are  the  Baptist,  Methodist,  Catholic  and  Congrega- 
tional. About  200,000  acres  of  land  are  available  for  agriculture,  and  for 
grazing  purposes  about  640,000  square  miles.  There  are  five  bodies  of  bitu- 
minous coal  and  also  beds  of  iron  ore.  Good  building  stone,  lime  and  fire 
clay  are  found.  For  irrigation  there  are  large  canals  and  numerous  small 
ditches.  The  productiveness  of  the  soil  for  fruits  of  all  kinds,  proximity  to 
large  mining  districts,  assuring  good  markets  for  all  produce,  cheap  fuel, 


COLORADO. 


73 


■fine  climate  all  the  year  around  and  100,000  acres  of  government  lands 
.available  for  agriculture  are  the  inducements  offered  settlers. 

The  wool  output  in  1898  amounted  to  165,000  pounds,  which  brought  a 
trifle  over  fourteen  cents  per  pound.  Four  thousand  head  of  sheep  were 
shipped,  valued  at  $16,000.  The  summer  ranges  support  25,000  head  of 
mixed  cattle,  which  on  the  approach  of  cold  weather  are  turned  down  to 
the  lower  slopes  in  the  pink  of  condition.  The  alfalfa  harvested  in  the 
mountain  valleys,  as  well  as  in  the  valley  of  the  Grand,  make  winter  feeding 
practicable  and  profitable.  Most  of  this  hay  is  sold  and  fed  to  buyers’  cattle 
for  $2.75  per  ton.  The  Plateau  valley,  in  the  eastern  section  of  the  county, 
leads  all  other  regions  in  this  newly-developed  industry  and  yearly  turns  off 
thousands  of  fat  beeves  fpr  the  markets.  Shipments  for  the  year  aggregate 
11,000  head  of  a value  to  the  growers  of  $363,000. 

In  the  way  of  native  scenery  Mesa  county  is  not  far  behind  other  counties 
in  the  State.  The  Unaweep  is  its  scenic  valley,  and  is  formed  by  a break  in 
the  Uncompahgre  plateau,  the  great  divide  separating  the  Grand  and  Gun- 
nison valleys  from  the  Dolores.  This  valley  is  destined  to  become  famous 
for  its  rich  copper  and  silver  ores.  Some  very  promising  prospects  have 
already  been  discovered.  Assays  made  of  the  ore  near  the  surface  give  50 
per  cent,  copper  and  25  ounces  of  silver.  A very  fine  quality  of  iron  ore 
has  also  been  discovered  in  the  district..  The  word  “Unaweep”  is  an  Indian 
word,  meaning  “split  rock,”  and  for  centuries  the  valley  has  been  a famous 
hunting-place  among  the  Indians.  Grand  Junction  is  the  principal  city  on 
the  Pacific  Slope.  Favorably  situated  at  the  junction  of  two  great  rivers, 
and  midway  between  the  cities  of  Pueblo  and  Salt  Lake,  its  advantages  are 
apparent.  In  due  time  it  will  become  a railroad  center.  In  fact,  it  is  already 
the  objective  point  of  all  the  trunk  lines  that  have  thus  crossed  the  range. 

Mesa  county  mines  its  own  coal,  with  the  exception  of  a limited  amount 
•of  anthracite.  The  number  of  tons  shipped  to  the  adjacent  towns  and 
mining  camps  was  21,000.  The  number  of  tons  mil  ed  was  32,000.  In  1S97 
there  were  mined  28,000  tons,  18,000  of  which  were  shipped  out.  Coal  brings 
$1.75  at  the  mine.  In  Mesa  county  are  the  finest  copper  veins  in  the 
State.  The  mines  are  twenty-three  miles  south  of  Grand  Junction  and 
twelve  miles  from  Whitewater. 


MINERAL. 

Mineral,  although  one  of  the  youngest,  is  one  of  the  most  important 
mining  counties  in  the  State.  It  was  created  from  Saguache,  Rio  Grande 
and  Hinsdale  by  act  of  legislature,  approved  March  27,  1893;  forms  a por- 
tion of  the  “San  Juan  Country;”  has  an  area  of  about  860  square  miles  and 
occupies  a southwest  position  in  the  State.  The  adjoining  counties  are 
Hinsdale  and  Saguache  on  the  north,  Saguache  and  Rio  Grande  on  the  east, 
Archuleta  on  the  south  and  Hinsdale  on  the  west.  The  county  has  an  ex- 
treme length  north  and  south  of  forty  miles,  and  is  twenty-four  miles  wide. 
The  east,  south  and  west  boundaries  follow  the  cardinal  points  of  compass; 
the  north  is  outlined  by  the  Continental  Divide. 

Creede  is  the  county-seat,  with  a population  of  2000,  and  is  the  main 
commercial  center  of  the  county.  The  other  leading  towns  are  Wagon 
Wheel  Gap,  Wason,  Jimtown.  Teller,  Spar  and  Antelope  Springs.  Wagon 
Wheel  Gap  is  one  of  Colorado’s  scenic  attractions,  and  is  located  at  the 
mouth  of  a gorge  or  gap  that  barely  affords  room  for  roadbed  beside  the 
stream,  and  has  perpendicular  walls  rising  several  hundred  feet  on  either 
side.  Near  Wagon  Wheel  Gap  are  the  somewhat  famous  hot  and  cold 
springs.  These  springs  are  well  improved  and  provided  with  good  hotel 
accommodations,  and  are  a favorite  resort  for  Colorado  people  who  know 
their  virtues.  The  Antelope  Springs,  in  Antelope  Park,  is  also  becoming  a 
great  resort  on  account  of  the  hot  and  cold  waters  and  romantic  sur- 
roundings. 


74 


COLORADO. 


Although  a comparatively  new  county,  it  has  added  many  millions  to  the 
nation’s  wealth,  and  contains  today  the  richest  silver  mine  in  the  United 
States,  if  not  the  American  continent.  The  director  of  the  United  States 
Mints,  in  his  revised  report  for  1897,  placed  the  output  of  Mineral  county 
as  follows: 


Gold  

Silver,  market  value 

Lead  

Copper  


$40,380 

1.927,296 

203,476 

154 


Tc.al  for  1897 $2,171,306 

The  gain  in  1898  equaled  $21,805  in  gold,  $1,060,012  in  silver  and  $111,- 
911  in  lead — an  average  of  55  per  cent.  This  calculation  is  fully  backed  up 
by  the  carload  shipments  as  shown  by  the  books  at  the  railway  station. 

In  1897  the  record  of  shipments  reached  72,352  tous.  The  increase  in 
1898  was,  therefore,  38,960  tons,  or  in  excess  of  53.8  per  cent.  The  largest 
day’s  shipments  in  the  history  of  this  camp  was  on  the  first  of  June,  when 
forty  fully-loaded  cars  went  out.  Previous  to  that  date  the  largest  single 
day’s  shipments  was  in  1892 — the  year  of  the  excitement — but  it  stopped  at 
thirty-six  carloads.  It  may  be  judged  from  this  that  the  Creede  of  today — 
barring  the  excitement,  the  town-lot  sales  and  the  gambling — is  more  than 
a match  for  the  Creede  celebrated  in  story  and  song.  It  is  a growing,  pro- 
gressive camp,  giving  steady  employment  to  625  men  in  connection  with  its 
mines  and  mills.  The  number  in  1S97  was  423. 


MONTEZUMA. 

If  the  history  of  this  county  could  be  written,  what  a wealth  of  pre- 
historic story  would  be  unfolded!  As  it  is,  from  the  ruins  that  dot  every 
cliffside  the  student  of  archaeology  catches  but  a fain  glimmer  of  that  remote 
past.  The  county  takes  its  name  from  the  “Father”  of  the  Aztecs,  the  ruins 
of  whose  homes,  though  dumb,  speak  so  eloquently.  The  people  of  the 
county  have  entered  into  the  spirit  of  their  association,  and,  so  far  as 
nomenclature  can,  have  preserved  the  memories  of  the  ancient  race  that 
once  peopled  its  valley,  by  giving  to  the  things  of  this  century  the  names 
so  identical  with  the  past.  Cortez  is  the  county-seat,  and  Mancos  and 
Dolores  are  principal  towns.  Montezuma  was  created  from  Dolores  county, 
and  has  a population  of  1529.  It  has  2112  square  miles,  watered  by  the 
Dolores,  Mancos  and  San  Juan  rivers.  The  valleys  are  the  Mancos,  Dolores 
and  Montezuma,  in  which  the  soil  is  of  the  most  fertile  character,  and 
varies  from  the  rich  pinon  red  soil  to  the  equally  fine  quality  of  silicious 
adobe.  But  the  surface  generally  is  undulating  with  occasional  rocky  points 
and  ridges.  Agriculture,  cattle-raising  and  mining  are  the  vocations  of  the 
inhabitants,  who  are  largely  from  the  Missouri  and  Mississippi  valleys. 
The  people  generally  are  well-to-do  and  in  easy  circumstances.  The  county 
has  thirteen  public  schools,  with  an  estimated  census  of  543  scholars  and 
$S500  in  school  property.  There  is  a Congregational  church  at  Cortez.  The 
total  acreage  of  land  available  for  agriculture  is  300.000.  There  are  127,400 
acres  of  land  available  for  grazing  and  60,000  acres  of  agricultural  land  now 
under  ditch.  Building  stone  is  abundant  everywhere,  consisting  of  red  and 
white  sandstone,  but  there  is  not  much  demand  for  these  at  present,  due  to 
the  lack  of  railroad  communication.  The  quality  is  very  good.  Limestone 
is  plentiful  and  makes  a strong  quality  of  lime  for  building  and  plastering. 
Brick  material  is  abundant.  There  are  three  canals  for  irrigation  in  the 
Montezuma  valley,  and  twenty  farmer’s  ditches  in  the  Mancos  valley.  In 
the  former  the  number  of  miles  of  completed  and  projected  canals  is  130. 
The  whole  county  is  a vast  health  resort,  abounding  in  good  springs,  pure 


COLORADO. 


75 


air,  and  possessing  even  temperature  both  winter  and  summer.  Fishing  on 
the  Dolores  is  excellent.  While  the  mountains  in  the  eastern  and  northern 
portions  abound  in  good  hunting  of, large  game,  smaller  game  is  common  in 
the  valleys  and  canons.  There  are  in  Montezuma  county  680,000  acres  of 
government  land  open  to  settlement,  which  is  now  occupied  by  the  herds  of 
the  cattlemen.  The  estimated  number  of  stock  is  9000  in  the  county.  The 
future  of  Montezuma,  however,  is  in  the  agriculture,  and  it  is  only  a matter 
of  a very  short  time  when  its  valleys  and  prairies  will  all  be  taken  up 
and  cultivated. 

MONTROSE. 

In  this  fertile  county,  which  was  an  Indian  reservation  thirteen  years 
ago,  there  are  upwards  of  100,000  acres  of  grain  and  200  acres  in  fruit. 
This  is  but  the  beginning  of  a great  agricultural  triumph  on  the  Pacific 
Slope.  This  is  not  only  confined  to  cereals,  but  there  is  a promising  outlook 
for  fruit.  The  live  stock,  horticultural  and  agricultural  products  are  the 
leaders  of  wealth.  In  1898  the  wheat  crop  fell  short,  as  the  grain  did  not 
head  well.  The  threshers  report  about  183,000  bushels  of  wheat  and  152,000 
bushels  of  oats,  while  the  hay  crop  amounted  to  something  over  100,000 
tons.  The  peach  and  pear  crop  amounted  in  round  figures  to  330,000 
pounds,  while  apples  run  up  to  8000  boxes.  The  soil  is  fertile  and  is 
watered  by  the  Uncompaligre,  San  Miguel  and  Dolores  rivers.  The  Piedra 
and  the  Uncompahgre  are  the  valleys.  The  population  is  5000,  of  which 
Montrose,  the  county-seat,  contains  1800.  The  inhabitants  are  a thrifty, 
enterprising  class  from  the  Mississippi  valley.  Montrose  was  organized 
from  Gunnison  in  1883.  There  are  about  twenty-one  schools  in  the  county 
and  three  churches.  The  Paradox  copper  fields  in  western  Montrose 
county,  which  attracted  wide  attention  in  1897,  have  been  demonstrated  to 
be  a permanent  feature.  A smelter  has  been  erected  on  La  Sal  creek,  and 
the  ore  is  rich  in  silver  and  gold.  It  is  not  reduced  to  copper  matte,  but  is 
shipped  just  as  it  is  mined,  without  sorting. 

Along  the  various  stream  beds  placer  locations  are  numerous.  For 
many  years  hand  sluicing  has  been  spasmodically  indulged  in  and  small 
amounts  of  gold,  appreciable  in  the  aggregate,  produced.  During  the  past 
year  a few  of  the  placer  beds  along  the  San  Miguel  river  have  been 
equipped  with  hydraulic  appliances  and  larger  returns  are  anticipated  in 
future.  In  Paradox  valley  a number  of  locations  have  been  made  upon 
fissure  veins,  cutting  vertically  through  the  sedimentary  beds.  The  value 
of  the  ore  found  is  principally  in  copper,  and  its  economic  importance  is  not 
yet  determined.  An  average  of  ninety-four  men  were  employed  in  mining 
during  1897. 

MORGAN. 

Arapahoe  forms  the  southern  boundary  line  of  Morgan  county;  on  the 
east  Washington  and  Logan,  and  Weld  county  on  the  north  and  west. 
March  19,  1889,  was  the  date  it  was  organized,  and  Weld  is  the  county  from 
which  it  was  taken.  It  takes  its  name,  as  does  also  the  county-seat,  Fort 
Morgan,  from  Col.  Christopher  A.  Morgan,  late  of  the  United  States  Army, 
who  died  in  1866.  This  was  the  country  formerly  known  as  ‘IFort  Morgan 
flat,”  a wide  stretch  of  rolling  prairie  land.  Through  it  the  South  Platte 
river  flows,  the  banks  of  which  are  lined  with  a luxuriant  growth  of  cotton- 
wood trees.  This  valley,  as  with  the  Bijou  and  Beaver  valleys,  is  rich  in 
grasses,  and  is  thickly  settled.  The  population  of  the  county  is  3000,  and  the 
important  towns  are  Fort  Morgan,  Brush,  Corona  and  Orchard.  Farming 
and  stock-raising  are  the  sources  of  wealth.  The  inhabitants  are  an  intel- 
ligent class  of  people  from  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Illinois,  New  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania. As  to  wealth,  there  is  uniformity;  all  are  prosperous  and  no 
extremes  exist.  In  1898  the  valuations  were  assessed  at  $1,302,353.  There 


76 


COLORADO. 


is  no  county  debt.  There  are  seven  public  schools;  a school  census  of  350, 
and  public  school  property  aggregating  $19,000.  The  Presbyterian,  Episco- 
palian, Methodist  and  Baptist  denominations  have  places  of  worship.  The 
total  number  of  acres  available  for  agriculture  is  600,000;  for  grazing  pur- 
poses, 325,000,  and  the  total  acreage  under  ditch  is  200,000.  Unoccupied 
public  land  available  for  agriculture  is  about  300,000  acres.  About  fifteen 
canals  have  been  constructed  for  irrigating  purposes,  aggregating  200  miles 
in  extent.  The  Union  Pacific  system  furnishes  the  facilities  for  transporta- 
tion. Morgan  county  is  within  the  100-mile  belt  from  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
declared  to  be  the  best  for  lung  troubles.  The  total  acreage  in  grain  this 
year  is  15,000,  which  from  the  productive  nature  of  the  soil  will  produce 
abundantly. 

OTERO. 

Otero  is  an  old  Spanish  family  name,  and  its  present  distinguished  repre- 
sentative is  ex-Senator  Otero,  after  whom  the  county  is  named.  The  county 
was  organized  May  3,  1889,  being  taken  front  Bent.  The  population  is 
20,000,  of  which  La  Junta,  the  county-seat,  has  4000.  The  other  towns  are 
Rocky  Ford  and  Fowler.  Otero  county,  being  on  the  Arkansas  aud  Las 
Animas  rivers,  has  plenty  of  water  for  the  2052  square  miles  which  con- 
stitute its  area.  The  alluvial  and  sandy  loam  soil  is  rich  and  agriculture 
and  stock-raising  pays.  There  is  considerable  cottonwood  timber.  The 
school  census  gives  1000  children,  with  eight  schools  and  $35,000  worth  of 
school  property.  All  denominations  flourish. 

From  superficial  indications  there  is  coal  in  abundance,  but  no  mining  has 
yet  been  done,  though  companies  for  that  purpose  are  now  being  organized. 
A fine  quality  of  limestone  good  for  building  purposes  has  been  uncovered, 
and  the  quarries  that  have  been  developed  are  being  operated  with  profit. 
There  are  in  this  county  between  60,000  and  65,000  acres  of  land  irrigated 
and  under  cultivation.  Fully  one-half  of  this  is  sown  to  alfalfa  and  pro- 
duced in  the  last  growing  season  an  average  total  in  three  cuttings  of  five 
tons  to  the  acre,  so  the  alfalfa  crop  was  about  150,000  tons  during  1898. 
Nearly  all  this  hay  is  being  fed  to  80,000  lambs  and  some  25,000  head  of 
cattle.  Wheat,  corn,  oats  and  other  field  crops  likewise  yield  bountifully. 
To  orchards  is  devoted  an  acreage  of  7500,  part  of  which  is  bearing,  and  in- 
cludes apples,  peaches,  pears,  cherries,  plums,  grapes  and  other  small  fruits. 
The  cantaloupe  and  melon  crop  of  the  county  for  the  year  1898  was  simply 
immense,  and  in  spite  of  some  adverse  conditions  in  the  market  more  than 
$125,000  was  returned  to  the  growers.  The  year  1898  has  proved  con- 
clusively that  the  cultivation  of  small  garden  tracts  and  fruit  farms  is 
more  profitable  than  large  farms  for  men  of  small  capital.  While  good 
farming  lands  bring  from  $25  to  $40  per  acre,  small  fruit  and  melon  tracts 
near  Rocky  Ford  and  La  Junta  cost  from  $60  to  $80  per  acre.  From  the 
blossoming  fields  the  bees  produced  in  Otero  county  240.000  pounds  ©f 
honey.  Twenty  thousand  pounds  of  wool  were,  clipped. 

OURAY. 

Ouray  county  receives  its  name  from  the  chief  of  the  Uncompaligre  Utes, 
a friendly  Indian  who  rendered  the  early  settlers  of  Western  Colorado  much 
service  in  frequent  quarrels  with  the  people  of  his  tribe.  On  the  north  of 
the  county  Montrose  is  located,  Gunnison  on  the  east,  San  Miguel  and  San 
Juan  ou  the  south,  and  Montrose  and  San  Miguel  on  the  west.  Ouray  is 
the  county-seat,  a flourishing  town  dependent  largely  upon  the  mining 
industry  for  support.  The  principal  streams  are  the  Uncompahgre  river 
and  Canon,  Red  Mountain,  Bear,  Oak  and  Dallas  creeks  and  the  Dallas 
fork  of  the  Uncompahgre  river.  All  over  the  county  there  are  timber 
forests  of  yellow  pine,  spruce,  balsam  and  quaking  asp.  The  surface  of  the 
county  generally  is  mountainous.  The  population  is  about  8000,  engaged 
almost  exclusively  in  mining. 


COLORADO. 


7/ 

The  general  character  of  the  mineral  formation  is  gold  and  silver  allied 
with  baser  metals,  and  is  found  in  vertical  fissure  veins,  in  the  rock  known 
locally  as  trachyte,  and  is  from  3000  to  4000  feet  in  thickness.  The  precious 
metals  are  also  found  in  veins  which  cut  through  the  sedimentary  and 
metamorphic  rock.  The  product  includes  gold,  silver,  lead  and  copper,  and 
the  districts  in  which  mining  is  done  are  Sneffels,  Poughkeepsie,  Red  Mount- 
ain, Paquin,  Uncompahgre  and  Camp  Bird.  The  first  discovery  was  made 
in  1875  in  the  Fisherman  and  Wheel  of  Fortune  mines,  and  the  good  luck 
of  the  camp  has  continued  ever  since.  Whilst  mining  is  the  chief  occupation, 
some  attention  is  paid  to  farming.  There  are  30,000  acres  under  ditch.  The 
crops  last  year  were  wheat,  oats,  barley,  rye,  potatoes,  strawberries,  cur- 
rants; butter,  1500  pounds;  cattle,  1700  head,  and  horses,  400  head.  The 
assessed  valuation  cf  Ouray  county  is  $1,162,265. 

Ouray  now  has  its  own  concentrators  and  steam  jigs  for  lead  ores,  its 
own  lixivitation  works  for  the  gray  copper  and  chloride  deposits,  its  own 
stamp  mills  for  gold  ores,  and  owners  of  low  and  medium  grade  properties 
have  a market  for  their  production  which  does  not  consume  the  bulk  of 
their  labor  in  railway  and  smelting  charges.  The  output  for  last  year  was 
$3,025,393,  of  which  $566,435  was  in  gold,  $1,882,059  in  silver,  $325,873  in 
lead  and  $256,026  in  copper.  The  production  this  year  will  be  largely  in- 
creased by  the  gold  discoveries  which  have  occurred  in  Camp  Bird.  In 
this  respect  the  mining  industry  of  Ouray  is  extremely  flattering,  inasmuch 
as  in  the  past  attention  has  been  almost  wholly  directed  to  the  silver- 
producing  mines.  The  hope  that  there  may  be  another  Gilpin  county  in 
the  State  is  one  of  the  chief  causes  which  enter  into  the  existing  condition 
of  things  and  give  to  the  people  of  Ouray  the  benefits  of  a substantial  im- 
provement in  every  walk  of  business  life. 


PARK. 

In  1860  the  county  was  organized,  and  since  that  time  has  been  pros- 
perous. It  is  named  from  South  Park,  which  forms  the  center — a most 
picturesque  and  a highly  fruitful  section  of  the  State.  The  population  is 
3500,  from  the  Eastern  States.  The  towns  are  Fairplay,  the  county-seat, 
Alma,  Como,  King,  Howbert,  Jefferson,  Webster,  Dake,  Bailey  and  Hartsel. 
Stock  and  hay  raising,  lumbering  and  mining  are  the  industries.  There 
being  no  debt,  the  rate  of  taxation  is  low,  sixteen  mills  for  all  purposes. 
There  are  good  public  schools.  Three  denominations  flourish,  Methodist, 
Catholic  and  Presbyterian.  Three  hundred  thousand  is  the  acreage  of  the 
arable  land;  grazing,  600,000  acres.  In  1859  Buckskin  Joe  made  the  first 
discovery  of  precious  metal  in  Buckskin  district.  The  other  districts  are 
Horseshoe,  Mosquito,  Sacramento.  Montgomery.  Pennsylvania,  Hall  Val- 
ley, Tarryall,  Beaver  Creek  and  Weston  Pass.  The  ores  are  lime  and  lead, 
carrying  gold,  silver,  copper  and  lead.  The  output  for  the  entire  county 
this  year  is  $309,496.  Thirty  mines  are  in  operation  and  eight  smelters, 
stamp  mills,  etc.,  the  whole  industry  sustaining  3000  people.  The  future  of 
mining  promises  well.  Both  coal  and  iron  exist,  the  coal  running  in  vertical 
veins.  The  transporting  facilities  are  good  and  reach  nearly  all  the  com- 
mercial centers  and  mining  districts.  The  Colorado  & Southern  Railway 
enters  the  county  near  the  northeast  and  pursues  a southwest  course  to 
Como.  At  this  point  the  Leadville  branch  is  sent  out  via  Breckenridge. 
The  main  line  extends  south  into  Chaffee  county  and  at  Garo  sends  out 
branches  to  Alma  and  Fairplay,  the  county-seat.  At  Fairplay  a branch  is- 
operated  to  Leavick,  in  the  Horseshoe  district  and  from  Alma  a branch  to 
the  London  mine.  The  south  end  of  the  county  is  traversed  from  east  to 
west  by  the  Colorado  Midland  Railroad.  Along  the  whole  of  Platte  Canon 
there  are  fine  resorts,  plenty  of  scenery  and  a wealth  of  shade.  The  Hartsel 
Hot  Springs  afford  great  attractions.  In  fact,  the  whole  county  is  unex- 


78 


COLORADO. 


celled  as  a summer  residence.  For  scenery,  fine  fisting  and  hunting,  South 
Park  receives  favorable  attention  everywhere.  Next  to  mining,  grazing 
takes  place.  This  year  there  are  20,000  head  of  cattle  on  the  hills;  2700 
horses,  and  sheep  aggregating  19,500,  raised  mostly  for  wool.  Farming 
receives  considerable  attention.  Every  product  for  home  consumption,  is 
raised,  and  the  farmers  are  flourishing. 


PHILLIPS. 

Phillips  couuty  was  taken  from  Logan  county  in  March,  1889.  It 
borders  on  Nebraska.  It  derives  its  name  from  R.  O.  Phillips,  who  has 
been  instrumental  in  settling  up  the  county.  The  population  is  2700,  mostly 
from  Illinois,  Iowa  and  Nebraska  and  the  Southern  States.  There  are  good 
public  schools.  The  Methodists,  Presbyterians,  Evangelical,  Baptists, 
Christians  and  Dunkards  have  flourishing  congregations.  Nine-tenths  of 
the  entire  county  is  available  for  agriculture,  but  in  the  absence  of  ditches 
the  county  is  yet  mostly  devoted  to  the  range  interests.  Thus  far  the  suc- 
cess met  with  in  the  growth  of  cereals  and  fruit  is  flattering.  The  farmers 
have  been  blessed  with  an  increase  of  100  per  cent,  in  products  over  1897. 
The  amount  of  all  kinds  of  grain  raised  is  at  least  200,000  bushels.  Only  one 
real  estate  mortgage  was  placed  on  record  during  the  year,  but  a number 
have  been  released. 

The  merchants  claim  trade  is  50  per  cent,  better  than  last  year.  A large 
creamery  has  been  built  in  Holyoke.  More  laud  changed  hands  during  the 
year  and  at  better  prices  than  for  several  years  past.  Settlers  have  come 
from  the  East,  bought  land  and  gone  into  the  cattle  business,  and  there 
are  many  inquiries  about  the  price  of  land. 

The  Burlington  Railroad’s  Cheyenne  branch  enters  the  county  at  the 
northeast  corner;  thence  to  Holyoke,  the  capital  of  the  county,  in  the  center, 
and  thence  westward  into  Logan  county.  Frenchman’s  creek  flows  from 
west  to  east,  passing  Haxtum,  Paoli  and  Wakeman  on  its  way.  Amherst, 
Everson  and  Bryant  are  small  towns  in  other  portions  of  the  county.  Inas- 
much as  the  character  of  Phillips  county  is  the  same  as  the  flourishing 
counties  to  the  west  and  south,  the  presumption  is  that  next  year  the  people 
will  see  a greatly  increased  population.  It  is  in  the  direct  track  of  immi- 
gration and  it  requires  only  a few  good  crops  to  attract  the  eye  of  the 
settler. 

PITKIN. 

Pitkin  county  lies  east  of  Lake  county,  from  which  it  is  divided  by  the 
Saguache  Mountains.  North  of  Pitkin  are  the  counties  of  Eagle  and  Gar- 
field; Mesa  and  Gunnison  form  the  eastern  and  southern  boundary  lines. 
The  Elk  Mountains  range  the  western  portion,  and  between  these  mountains 
and  the  Saguache  Mountains  the  Cimarron  river  flows,  fertilizing  a rich 
valley.  Aspen  in  the  center  is  the  county-seat,  and  is  the  competitive  camp 
with  Leadville  in  the  production  of  precious  metals.  From  a mining  camp 
Aspen  has  within  a very  short  time  been  metamorphosed  into  a beautiful 
city,  built  upon  the  mines  that  were  opened  in  the  town’s  early  history.  Its 
store  of  wealth  is  in  a contact  in  lime  formation  represented  upon  Hayden’s 
chart  by  the  line  of  Silurian  upheaval  and  outcrop.  The  contact  between 
the  lower  lime,  known  as  magnesian  lime  or  dolomite,  and  the  overlying 
stratum  of  pure  carbonate  of  lime,  is  the  mineral-bearing  zone.  The  lode  is 
known  to  be  forty  miles  in  length,  and  is  traced  in  a north  and  south  course 
entirely  across  Pitkin  county.  Development  begun  on  the  mountain  sides 
near  Aspen,  has  been  extended  northward  to  the  top  of  Smuggler  Mountain 
and  southward  to  Tourtellotte,  making  a producing  area  of  three  and  one- 
half  miles.  It  can  be  readily  understood  that  vast  possibilities  lie  before 
Pitkin  county.  Besides  the  resources  of  this  lode  there  are  the  mines  of 


COLORADO. 


79 


Maroon  creek  district,  the  fissure  veins  in  the  Conundrum  gulch  and  about 
Ashfort,  the  rich  leads  of  Lincoln  gulch,  the  valuable  gold  deposits  of  Inde- 
pendence, the  copper-ore  beds  on  Snow  Mesa  and  the  undeveloped  sections 
on  Rock  creek.  To  give  in  detail  the  great  wealth  that  has  been  extracted 
from  Aspen  and  vicinity  within  the  year  would  fill  many  pages. 

Take  a mariner’s  compass,  stand  in  the  center  of  this  city,  and  the  points 
and  quartering  points  on  the  dial  will  each  point  towards  rich  mineral  de- 
posits. There  is  mining  territory  within  this  distrct  that,  if  opened  up  and 
vigorously  operated,  would  give  employment  to  30,000  men.  Since  the  slump 
of  1S93  the  total  number  of  men  working  in  the  mines  here  has  been  gradu- 
ally decreasing  with  the  dawn  of  each  new  year  until  1898.  There  are  125 
more  men,  leasers  and  company  employes,  reporting  for  duty  today  than 
there  were  a year  ago,  although  the  greater  portion  of  these  are  leasing. 

During  the  past  year  the  total  output  of  the  camp  is  about  84,000,000, 
the  tonnage  being  close  to  350,000. 

One  of  the  largest  veins  of  coal  in  the  world  has  its  beginning  in  the  edge 
of  Pitkin  county.  It  runs  to  Castle  Gate,  Utah,  a distance  of  600  miles.  It 
is  from  two  to  five  miles  wide,  from  five  to  120  feet  thick,  with  an  occasional 
stratum  of  slate  or  shale  between.  It  is  the  same  vein  that  passes  through 
New  Castle,  where  extensive  mines  are  in  operation.  Sunshine  is  the  brand 
of  coal  taken  from  the  head  of  the  vein  in  this  county. 

The  coking  coal  used  at  the  coke  ovens  at  Cardiff  is  taken  from  Pitkin 
county. 

The  county  contains  clay  for  pottery  purposes  that  is  not  excelled  any- 
where. The  coming  summer  may  see  some  development  along  this  line.  Ma- 
terial sufficiently  fine  can  be  had  for  the  most  dainty  of  pottery,  while 
coarser  may  be  had  for  tiling,  etc.  This  material  is  within  easy  access  of 
Aspen. 

Some  of  the  best  arranged  and  equipped  cattle  ranches  on  the  Western 
slope  are  in  the  Roaring  Pork  Valley,  where  hundreds  of  feeders  can  be  seen 
grazing.  An  abundance  of  everything  has  been  harvested  on  the  farms,  and 
not  only  the  entire  local  market  has  been  supplied,  but  300  cars  of  potatoes, 
grain  and  hay  have  been  shipped  to  Leadville  and  other  consuming  points. 
The  abundance  of  early  snow  in  the  hills  insure  plenty  of  water  for  irrigation. 

The  city  of  Aspen  itself  has  an  altitude  of  7700  feet,  which  fact  enables 
the  work  of  development  to  proceed  throughout  the  year  without  loss  of  time 
to  the  wage-earner.  The  present  population  is  9000,  and  the  city  is  supplied 
with  electric  lights,  efficient  water  works,  banking  houses,  public  schools, 
churches  and  ample  railroad,  telegraph  and  telephone  facilities.  The  Roar- 
ing Fork  river  can  be  made  especially  valuable  for  its  water-power,  and  at 
a no  distant  day  this  power  will  be  utilized  for  manufacture  and  for  mineral 
development.  The  completion  of  the  tramway  to  Tourellotte  Park  aided 
materially  to  Aspen’s  progress,  as  in  its  construction  all  the  mines  in  the 
vicinity  were  afforded  the  facility  of  a cheap  and  expeditious  transportation. 
Pitkin  county  receives  its  name  from  Governor  Pitkin,  now  deceased,  and 
if  its  future  is  to  be  judged  by  its  past  record  it  will  continue  to  be  one  of 
the'greatest  wealth-producers  in  the  State. 

PROWERS. 

Prowers  county  is  in  the  extreme  southeastern  part  of  the  State,  and  is 
bounded  west  by  Bent,  north  by  Kiowa  and  south  by  Baca.  On  the  east  is 
Kansas.  Being  less  than  a year  old,  there  are  no  county  buildings.  It  has 
an  area  of  165S  square  miles,  through  which  runs  the  Arkansas  river. 
The  surface  is  slightly  undulating,  of  a sandy  loam  and  fertile,  especially 
in  the  valleys.  The  population  is  about  5000,  and  the  principal  towns  are 
Lamar,  the  county-seat;  Grenada,  Holly,  Carlton  and  Mulvrane.  The  people 


80 


COLORADO. 


come  from  all  portions  of  the  country  and  engage  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  From  the  time  of  John  Prowers,  the’  first  white  settler,  after 
whom  the  county  is  named,  to  1S89,  when  created,  it  has  ever  been  a fine 
grazing  section.  The  assessed  valuation  is  $1,348,235.  There  are  good 
public  schools,  with  1200  pupils. 

There  were  fully  5000  acres  of  wheat  harvested,  which  averaged  thirty 
bushels  to  the  acre.  There  was  a large  increase  in  the  acreage  of  alfalfa,, 
and  a number  of  new  orchards  came  into  bearing  in  1898.  The  total  product 
of  this  county — alfalfa,  hay  and  seed,  wheat,  corn,  oats,  cantaloupes,  fruits 
and  live  stock — aggregated,  in  1S98,  $2,000,000.  This  sum  divided  among 
a total  pouulation  of  5000  makes  a respectable  per  capita. 

The  most  important  public  work  in  the  county  has  been  the  prosecution 
of  the  big  enterprise  begun  last  year,  whereby  sufficient  flood  water  can  be 
impounded  to  irrigate  1S2,000  acres  of  land  in  addition  to  that  now  under 
ditch.  Seventy-two  miles  of  canal  have  been  built  to  connect  the  various 
reservoirs. 

There  is  plenty  of  water  in  the  Arkansas,  the  soil  is  fertile  upon  the 
plains,  and  the  construction  of  irrigating  ditches  will  take  from  the  cattle- 
men these  wide  feeding  grounds  and  convert  them  into  beautiful  and  well- 
paying farms.  The  second  town  of  importance  is  Grenada,  on  the  Arkansas 
and  at  the  mouth  of  Grenada  creek.  It  is  but  eight  miles  from  the  Kansas 
line  and  is  already  receiving  additions  to  its  population,  drawn  from  that 
State  into  the  Lamar  land  district.  This  county  has  grown  within  the  last 
ten  years.  Prior  to  that  time  it  was  but  a dreary  waste,  indeed. 


PUEBLO. 

Pueblo  in  population  is  the  second  city  of  Colorado,  but  in  business,  pel- 
capita,  she  stands  today  first  of  the  entire  West. 

Her  situation  at  the  foot  of  the  great  passes  to  the  mountains  and  at  the 
gateway  to  vast  regions  of  territory,  all  around,  makes  her  the  natural  mar- 
ket, shipping  and  supply  point. 

Gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  iron  and  coal  mines,  producing  millions  of 
dollars  annually  and  giving  employment  to  thousands  of  miners;  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  fertile  acres,  producing  such  crops  of  cereals  and  fruits  as  are 
without  superior  anywhere;  cattle  and  stock  that  demand  the  highest  mar- 
ket prices  of  the  country;  raw  materials  that  await  to  be  manufactured  into 
commercial  products,  are  the  basis  of  Pueblo’s  growth  and  prosperity,  a 
foundation  as  steadfast  as  the  laws  of  nature. 

The  city  already  has  a population  of  40,000,  with  these  great  support- 
ing resources  but  in  the  infancy  of  their  development,  and  hardly  touched 
upon. 

Pueblo  has  an  altitude  of  4713  feet  above  sea  level — not  too  high  and 
fully  high  enough.  It  is  surrounded  by  an  unbroken  range  of  mountains 
which  protect  it  in  the  winter  time  from  cold  winds,  and  a warm  tempera- 
ture prevails.  The  chief  characteristics  of  the  Arkansas  Valley  are:  Free- 
dom from  extremes  of  low  temperature,  an  abundance  of  sunshine,  an  at- 
mosphere with  a low  percentage  of  humidity.  All  these  are  favorable  to 
the  cure  of  diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs.  From  May  1,  1889,  to  May  1, 
1898,  a period  of  nine  years,  the  average  of  cloudy  days  for  each  year  was 
fifty-seven,  the  average  balance.  30S  days,  being  for  the  most  part  bright,, 
cheerful  days  of  sunshine. 

In  addition  to  this  excellent  climate,  Pueblo  possesses  mineral  wells  and 
springs  that  contain  great  and  even  marvelous  curative  properties.  Kidney 
affections  in  all  stages  and  forms  have  been  treated  here  with  uniform  suc- 
cess. Liver,  skin  and  blood  diseases  of  all  kinds  meet  with  speedy  relief.. 


COLORADO. 


81 


f 

Hundreds  of  references  and  testimonials  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States 
can  be  furnished  on  request. 

Pueblo  has  twenty-one  public  school  buildings,  valued  at  over  $500,000. 
The  most  modern  and  approved  methods  of  teaching  have  been  introduced. 
High-grade  principals  are  engaged.  The  average  salary  paid  teachers  is 
$98.09  per  month. 

All  denominations  have  places  of  worship  in  Pueblo.  There  are  thirty- 
four  church  buildings,  representing  an  investment  of  over  $250,000. 

The  significance  of  Pueblo’s  railroad  business  may  be  more  fully  under- 
stood by  saying  that  forty-eight  passenger  trains  and  102  freight  trains  were 
handled  every  day  in  the  year  of  1898.  A union  depot,  costing  nearly  $400,- 
000,  accommodates  the  travel  of  all  the  roads  entering  the  city. 

The  following  figures,  furnished  by  the  assessor  of  Pueblo  county,  will 
give  a fair  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  farming,  fruit  and  stock  interest.  They 


are  from  the  verified  statement  for  the  year  1898: 

Acres  under  irrigation 37,965 

Acres  pasture  lands 489,517 

Acres  wheat 2,998 

Oats,  bushels 35,445 

Barley,  bushels 41,619 

Corn,  bushels 106,022 

Potatoes,  bushels 1.746 

Alfalfa,  tons 60,451 

Orchards,  acres ; 2,036 

femall  fruits,  acres 95 

Butter,  pounds. 86,085 

Honey,  pounds 48,471 

Wool,  pounds 2,500 

Cattle,  number 31.619 

Sheep,  number 9,614 


The  county  embraces  an  area  of  2377  square  miles,  or  1,500,000  acres. 
Only  about  one-fortietli  part  of  this  vast  domain  is  under  irrigation  and 
one-fiftieth  part  under  cultivation  (30,000  acres). 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  main  and  most  valuable  crop  consisted  of  alfalfa, 
of  which  there  was  produced  a little  more  than  60,000  tons. 


This  was  valued  at $240,000 

Alfalfa  seed 71,000 

Corn  85,000 

Cattle  632,000 

Sheep  38,456 

Wheat  19,500 


$1,085,956 

The  alfalfa  and  corn  were  fed  principally  to  the  cattle  and  sheep  and 
yielded  about  four  tons  to  the  acre,  a fair  average  for  this  valley. 


RIO  BLANCO. 

Rio  Blanco,  or  the  “White  River”  country,  is  the  northern  half  of 
Garfield  county.  It  was  here  the  late  Ute  trouble  occurred  at  Rangely, 
sixteen  miles  from  the  Utah  line,  and  Rio  Blanco,  then  Garfield,  was  also 
the  scene  of  the  Ute  uprising,  when  Agent  Meeker  was  massacred  and 
Thornburgh  and  his  command  annihilated.  Until  within  a few  months  the 
earthworks,  the  bones  of  animals  and  the  trappings  and  paraphernalia  of 
the  troops  were  heaped  upon  the  ground  where  Thornburgh  was  ambushed, 


COLORADO. 


but  the  rapid  increase  in  population  and  the  settlement  of  the  county  have 
converted  the  battlefield  on  White  river  into  fruitful  farms.  A rough  monu- 
ment, erected  by  the  United  States  government,  alone  marks  the  place.  Rio 
Blanco  county  contains  3141  square  miles.  It  was  created  in  1889  from 
Garfield  county,  and  the  assessed  valuation  this  year  is  $771,044.  The  popu- 
lation is  1500,  of  which  Meeker,  the  county-seat,  has  500.  The  towns  of 
White  River  and  Thornburgh  have  been  laid  out  and  platted.  At  the  heads 
of  all  the  streams  and  in  the  valleys  there  are  forests  of  pine,  spruce,  hem- 
lock and  fir.  The  coal  hog-back  runs  from  south  to  north,  and  at  the  head 
of  White  river  there  are  some  mountains.  In  other  respects  the  surface  is 
rolling  and  affords  excellent  opportunities  for  ranching  and  stock-raising. 
The  total  acreage  of  land  available  for  agriculture  is  150,000;  for  grazing, 
1,280,000;  agricultural  land  now  under  ditch,  25,000;  unoccupied  govern- 
ment land  available  for  agriculture,  100,000. 

Rio  Blanco  county  possesses  large  mineral  resources,  but  up  to  the 
present  time  is  best  known  on  account  of  its  stock  ranges,  agricultural 
products  and  as  a paradise  for  sportsmen.  In  the  east  portion  of  the  county 
low-grade  silver-lead  ores  exist  and  have  been  prospected  in  a desultory 
manner  for  several  years.  The  ore  occurrence  is  in  many  respects  similar 
to  that  at  Aspen,  and  there  is  little  doubt  that  with  railroad  facilities  this 
region  will  receive  more  careful  attention  and  prove  productive.  The  coal 
measures  cover  a large  area,  and  the  coal  is  of  good  quality,  but  undeveloped 
beyond  the  demand  for  local  consumption.  Practically  each  coal  consumer 
has  his  own  mine  and  does  his  own  mining,  and  removes  the  amount  needed 
when  wanted.  In  building  stones,  marble,  gypsum  and  fire-clay  beds  the 
supply  is  almost  unlimited.  Dr.  Hayden’s  corps  report  large  veins  of  asphal- 
tum  and  other  hydro-carbons  in  the  west  end  of  the  county,  but  these,  like 
other  resources,  are  undeveloped  and  must  await  transportation  facilities  to 
become  valuable. 

Rio  Blanco  is  one  of  the  few  counties  in  the  State  without  a railroad. 
Several  lines  have  been  projected,  surveys  made,  but  none  as  yet  constructed. 
This  region  is  comparatively  easy  of  access  from  New  Castle,  and  there  is 
little  doubt  that  sooner  or  later  this  northwest  region  will  have  its  railroad 
and  development  will  be  as  rapid  as  in  other  counties  when  provided  with 
transporting  facilities. 

The  climate  is  about  the  same  as  in  Denver,  and  springs  of  salt,  iron  and 
soda  abound,  though  undeveloped.  Just  now,  among  sportsmen,  Rio  Blanco 
is  the  favorite  county  for  game  and  fish.  It  is  a remarkably  rich  county 
because  of  its  loamy  soil.  The  agricultural  lands  equal  any  in  the  State. 
Here  the  grazing  is  perfect,  and  there  being  an  unlimited  supply  of  water, 
the  attention  of  uewcomers  is  directed  to  Rio  Blanco  as  a desirable  place 
for  settlement.  It  is  believed  that  the  population  this  year  will  be  doubled. 

RIO  GRANDE. 

The  county  of  Rio  Grande  receives  its  name  from  the  river  which  flows 
through  it.  On  the  north  is  Saguache  county;  on  the  east  Costilla  and 
Conejos;  on  the  south  Conejos,  and  on  the  west  Hinsdale.  Del  Norte  is 
the  county-seat,  with  a population  of  800.  On  the  west  side  of  the  river 
are  heavy  forests  of  pine.  The  soil  is  a rich,  sandy  loam  and  very  produc- 
tive. There  is  a population  of  3500  in  the  county,  and  the  other  impor- 
tant town  aside  from  Del  Norte  is  Monte  Vista.  Farming,  stock-raising 
and  mining  are  the  industries,  and  the  people  are  prosperous.  Rio  Grande 
county  was  created  from  Conejos  county  in  1874,  at  which  time  the  valu- 
ation was  $327, S65;  the  assessed  valuation  today  is  $1,578,464.  The  Cath- 
olics, Methodists  and  Presbyterians  have  churches  and  one  Sabbath-school 
for  each  denomination.  Summitville  and  Jasper  are  the  principal  mining 
districts  of  the  county,  and  the  ores  mined  are  gold,  silver  and  lead.  The 


COLORADO. 


83 


first  discovery  was  made  in  1869  at  Summitville.  These  were  followed  the 
next  year  by  a rush,  but  the  field  was  not  thought  good  and  comparatively 
few  remained.  During  1872  a number  of  locations  were  made,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  the  region  was  again  more  densely  populated.  The  introduction 
of  mills  during  1871-1875  followed.  Development  and  production  kept 
hand  in  hand  until  1S83,  when  this  region  gained  the  prominence  of  being 
the  third  largest  gold  producer  in  the  State.  At  this  time  nine  stamp  mills, 
with  an  aggregate  of  155  stamps  dropping,  was  the  record.  The  saving 
made  by  these  mills  is  reported  to  have  been  by  far  the  minor  part  of  gross 
values.  The  appreciation  of  this  fact,  the  failure  to  discover  new  ore  bodies 
phenomenally  rich,  which  up  to  this  time  had  been  frequent,  and  various 
other  reasons,  caused  a gradual  but  ever-increasing  cessation  in  development 
and  production.  The  mining  districts  that  attracted  so  much  attention  and 
yielded  large  returns  in  1S83  were  practically  deserted  until  1893.  Follow- 
ing the  search  for  gold  instituted  in  the  State  that  year,  a few  prospectors 
returned  to  this  section  in  1894,  and  their  numbers  have  been  gradually 
increased  from  that  time  up  to  the  present. 

ROUTT. 

This  magnificent  stretch  of  country  is  ninety  by  fifty  miles  in  extent 
and  is  situated  in  the  extreme  northwestern  portion  of  the  State.  The 
Park  range  of  the  Continental  Divide  is  the  eastern  boundary;  upon  the 
west  lies  Utah;  upon  the  north  Wyoming,  and  Rio  Blanco  and  Eagle  counties 
on  the  south.  It  is  the  largest  grazing  county  in  the  State  and  the  last 
foothold  of  the  cattle  barons  before  the  advancing  hosts  of  farmers  and 
less  pretentious  ranchmen.  Routt  county  takes  its  name  from  the  assistant 
Postmaster-General  under  Grant,  who  subsequently  became  governor  of 
Colorado,  Hon.  J.  L.  Routt  of  Denver.  No  other  county  is  so  well  watered. 
The  multitude  of  springs  forming  creeks  in  the  eastern  part,  and  increasing 
in  volume  to  rivers  in  the  center,  empty  into  the  Yampa  or  Bear  river.  The 
largest  of  these  tributaries  are  the  Green  and  Little  Snake  rivers,  and 
so  well  watered  is  the  county  that  hardly  a foot  of  the  rich  prairie  is  not 
capable  of  growing  good  crops.  The  highlands  are  the  Danforth  hills, 
Pinon  and  Midland  ridges  on  the  south,  the  Escalante  hills  on  the  west 
and  the  Elk  Head  Mountains  on  the  northwest.  The  principal  town  is 
Hahn's  Peak,  the  scene  of  excitement  over  the  gold  discoveries  in  that 
region.  Upon  the  broad  acres  there  is  room  for  those  who  come  and  plenty 
of  land  for  all. 

This  county  is  the  least  developed  of  any  of  the  counties,  and  in  natural 
resources  is  the  equal  of  any  in  point  of  future  development.  The  assessed 
valuation  for  1S97  was  1.240,578.  Among  the  resources  may  be  mentioned 
the  wonderful  mineral  springs;  the  gold,  silver,  copper  and  lead  mines  just 
developing;  the  largest  body  of  coal  land  in  the  State,  comprising  1,250.000 
acres,  with  coal  of  every  grade,  from  the  best  anthracite  to  lignite;  springs 
of  crude  petroleum;  highly  vitrified  Dakota  sandstone;  a deposit  of  onyx, 
the  largest  on  the  continent  and  of  fine  quality;  marble,  undeveloped,  but 
known  to  cover  a large  area;  grazing  lands,  wide  and  fertile  valleys,  with 
plenty  of  water  for  irrigation  and  water-power;  scenic  beauty  and  a health- 
giving climate.  The  past  year  has  witnessed  an  influx  of  desirable  citizens. 
Each  year  sees  a larger  area  brought  under  cultivation.  Wheat  is  becoming 
a popular  crop,  and  with  two  flouring  mills  there  is  a cash  market.  Hay  is 
always  a good  crop.  There  are  about  60,000  head  of  cattle,  but  the  range 
is  sufficient  for  many  times  that  number. 

A few  miles  northwest  of  Independence  Mountain,  and  just  over  the 
divide,  are  the  Hahn’s  Peak,  Whiskey  Park  and  Columbine  mining  districts. 
These  are  reached  either  by  the  Laramie  and  North  Park  or  the  Laramie, 
Gilman,  Hahn's  Peak  and  Grand  Encampment  routes. 


84 


COLORADO. 


Hahn's  Peak  is  situated  eight  miles  south  of  the  Wyoming-Colorado 
line  and  about  100  miles  west  of  Laramie.  During  the  summer  of  1865 
placer  gold  was  first  discovered  around  Hahn’s  Peak.  Today  it  is  known 
that  every  gulch  heading  in  and  around  the  peak  will  pay  to  work  for  placer 
gold.  A hydraulic  plant  has  been  in  operation  for  several  years,  often  net- 
ting the  owners  $40,000  a season.  About  8000  acres  of  placer  ground  has 
been  located  in  the  district. 

The  lode  claims  in  the  district  are  equally  as  rich  and  extensive  as  the 
placers.  Nearly  all  the  discoveries  are  phenomenally  rich  for  surface  ores. 
The  center  of  the  gold  region  seems  to  be  Hahn's  Peak  itself.  It  is  upon 
that  mountain  that  some  of  the  best  locations  have  been  made,  and  the 
presence  of  great  quantities  of  rich  float  leaves  but  little  room  for  doubt 
that  as  the  lodes  are  developed  an  abundance  of  rich  ore  will  be  encountered. 

Columbine  is  situated  on  the  northern  slope  of  Hahn’s  Peak  and  extends 
to  the  Wyoming-Colorado  line.  It  is  an  extension  of  the  Hahn’s  Peak  dis- 
trict, the  formation  and  characteristics  being  the  same.  Active  operations 
have  been  going  on  in  the  district  for  the  past  three  years,  and  many  valuable 
claims  have  been  discovered  and  are  being  developed.  Mill  tests  made  of 
ores  from  different  claims  give  from  $50  to  $1000  per  ton  in  gold  and  silver. 

Whiskey  Park  is  situated  some  ten  miles  northeast  of  Columbine  aud  on 
both  sides  of  the  Wyoming-Colorado  line.  The  ores  of  the  district  belong 
to  the  sulphide  group  and  demonstrate  beyond  a doubt  that  the  rich  sulphide 
belt  that  passes  through  Clear  Creek,  Gilpin  and  Boulder  counties  in  Colorado- 
continues  unbroken  along  the  backbone  of  the  Continental  Divide. 

A great  deal  of  development  work  is  being  done  in  the  district,  and  a 
large  amount  of  ore  has  accumulated  on  the  dumps  awaiting  transportation 
to  reduction  works. 

The  shortest  route  to  Llahn’s  Peak  is  via  the  Union  Pacific  to  Rawlins, 
Wyo.,  t lienee  via  daily  stage  line  to  the  peak. 

SAGUACHE. 

Saguache  is  one  of  the  oldest  counties  in  the  State.  In  1870  its  popu- 
lation was  800;  ten  years  later  the  population  had  increased  to  2000.  It  is 
now  estimated  at  6000.  Mining,  stock-raising  and  farming  are  its  indus- 
tries. The  Sangre  de  Cristo  or  “Blood  of  Christ”  Range  forms  the  eastern 
boundary;  on  the  south  are  Costilla  and  Rio  Grande  counties;  on  the  west, 
Hinsdale  and  Gunnison  counties,  and  on  the  north,  Gunnison,  Chaffee  and 
Fremont  counties.  A large  portion  of  the  county  is  a fertile  valley, 
through  which  the  Saguache  river  runs,  and  drains  the  mountain  ranges- 
on  either  side,  only  to  disappear  in  the  mysterious  lake  of  San  Luis,  six 
miles  below  the  boundary  line.  Saguache,  in  the  center  of  this  valley,  is 
the  county-seat.  Bonanza  is  an  important  town.  In  the  southeastern  part 
of  the  county  is  the  “Luis  Maria  Baca  Grant  No.  Four.”  a tract  of  land 
930,000  ac^es  in  extent.  The  mining  industry  is  promising,  though  devel- 
opment is  slow,  owing  to  the  dearth  of  facilities.  In  1897  the  output  was 
$15,S51.  Agriculturally  the  county  is  prosperous.  The  assessed  valuation  on 
lands  and  improvements  in  1898  was  $996,977.  The  scenery  of  Saguache 
is  notably  fine.  Whilst  there  are  no  established  resorts  for  invalids,  the 
entire  county  is  desirable,  and  in  the  valleys  are  found  an  abundance  of 
shade,  mineral  springs  and  a condition  climatically  calculated  to  prolong 
life  to  a good  old  age.  Just  now  the  cattle  industry  is  the  most  thrifty  of 
the  three  industries  upon  which  Saguache  county  depends  for  support. 
There  are  coal  and  oil,  but  undeveloped,  and  in  the  hills  a fine  quality  of 
building  stone  is  excavated.  There  is  no  dearth  of  timber  and  natural 
resources  in  other  respects,  and  it  only  requires  capital  and  railroad  con- 
nection with  the  markets  to  make  the  county  exceedingly  wealthy. 


COLORADO. 


85 


SAN  JUAN. 

Tlie  “Silvery  San  Juan”  has  been  a theme  for  a long  time  in  the  guide- 
books of  the  State,  but  not  without  merit,  however.  It  not  only  sounds  well 
rhetorically,  but  in  verity  the  country  is  all  that  the  title  implies.  Located 
as  it  is  in  the  center  of  a rich  mineral  deposit,  the  development  in  this  respect 
has  been  rapid.  Gold  and  argentiferous  galena  are  the  metals,  and  the 
formation  is  porphyry,  trachyte,  granite  and  schist.  The  first  discoveries 
were  in  1860,  but  being  remote  from  railroad  facilities  the  county's  devel- 
opment has  been  slow.  As  this  difficulty  has  now  in  a measure  been  over- 
come, progress  has  been  more  satisfactory.  The  estimated  output  for  the 
county  this  year  from  the  districts  of  Eureka,  Las  Animas  and  Red  Moun- 
tain was  $2,973,712.  The  county  records  show  11.900  lode  claims,  293 
placer  claims,  268  mill  sites  and  151  tunnel  sites  of  record,  and  1003  lode 
claims,  fourteen  placer  claims  and  eighty-four  mill  sites  recorded  as  patented 
in  the  county.  During  1S97  an  average  of  996  men  were  engaged  in  mining, 
and  an  average  of  168  mines  and  prospects  were  operated. 

The  population  is  3500,  of  which  Silvertown,  the  county-seat,  has  2500. 
The  people  for  the  most  part  are  foreign-born,  from  England,  Wales,  Ire- 
land and  Germany,  and,  as  a rule,  they  are  thrifty.  San  Juan  county  was 
created  in  1S76,  -the  year  Colorado  became  a State.  The  assessed  valuation 
is  $1,365,387. 

The  county  is  situated  in  one  of  the  richest  mining  districts  of  the  State, 
and  the  resources  of  the  county  are  derived  entirely  from  mining,  gold,  silver, 
lead,  copper  and  iron  being  found  in  inexhaustible  supplies.  There  is  some 
iron,  a great  deal  of  building  material,  but  no  shipments  of  either  are  made. 
The  peak  of  King  Solomon  is  north  of  the  center,  and  the  peaks  of  Sultan 
and  Engineer  mountains  rear  their  heads  in  the  southwest.  The  whole 
county  cannot  be  excelled  in  picturesque  beauty.  There  is  a quantity  of 
arable  land  upon  which  hardy  grains  and  fruits  may  be  grown,  and  in  the 
valley  and  among  the  timbered  land  there  is  excellent  pasture.  There  is 
plenty  of  water  and  ample  room  for  a large  colony  of  settlers,  and  it  is 
more  than  probable  this  year  that  the  San  Juan  will  make  some  effort  to 
fructify  this  virgin  field. 

SAN  MIGUEL. 

San  Miguel  takes  its  name  from  the  river,  the  source  of  which  is  in  the 
valleys  southeast  of  the  San  Miguel  plateau.  The  county  is  about  sixty 
miles  in  length  and  twenty  miles  in  width,  with  Utah  as  its  western  boun- 
dary line,  and  Ouray  and  San  Juan  counties  bounding  it  on  the 
east,  Montrose  upon  the  north  and  Dolores  county  upon  the  south. 
Its  population  is  4000,  of  which  Telluride,  the  county-seat,  has  2000.  The 
other  important  towns  are  Ophir  and  Placerville.  Mining,  stock-growing 
and  farming  are  the  industries.  The  county  was  created  in  1885  from 
Ouray  county.  At  that  time  the  assessed  valuation  was  $16,841;  in  1897 
the  valuation  was  $1,312,586.  In  1876  mineral  was  first  discovered,  and 
the  county  has  since  been  organized  into  the  districts  of  Upper  and  Lower 
San  Miguel,  Turkey  Creek.  Iron  Springs,  Trout  Lake  and  Mount  Wilson. 
The  resources  are  gold,  silver,  lead,  copper  and  coal.  Last  year  the  output 
from  these  mines  aggregated  $3,308,361.  of  which  $2,416,079  was  gold. 
$696,538  silver,  $155,228  lead  and  $40,471  copper.  This  year  it  is  estimated 
that  the  output  will  reach  $4,000,000.  In  1881  discoveries  of  coal  were 
made,  and  as  development  has  progressed  great  bodies  have  been  uncov- 
ered. The  total  acreage  available  for  agriculture  is  great,  and  double  this 
is  the  acreage  for  grazing.  This  area  is  well  watered,  has  plenty  of  timber 
and  a soil  remarkably  rich.  The  cattlemen  report  many  head  of  cattle  upon 
the  grazing  grounds  and  horses  and  sheep.  In  the  northern  part  of  the 
county  is  a tract  known  as  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  embracing  32,000  acres. 


86 


COLORADO. 


Its  soil  is  of  a reddish  brown  of  great  depth  and  exceeding  richness,  and  is 
being  rapidly  filled  with  a thrifty  class  of  settlers.  The  whole  county,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  is  rapidly  developing,  and  the  stock  industry  is  especially 
thrifty.  The  assessment  on  cattle  alone  last  year  shows  $50,100  on  5525 
head,  the  minimum  figures.  The  placers  of  the  San  Miguel  river  are  won- 
derful. They  ax-e  rich  in  the  extreme.  As  the  industry  progresses  under 
the  improved  condition  of  a more  thickly  populated  community  this  supply 
is  rather  increased.  Farming,  though  yet  in  its  infancy,  is  making  satisfac- 
tory progress.  "Wheat,  oats,  barley  and  rye  grow  well,  and  potatoes  are 
especially  productive.  Several  large  ditches  ai-e  in  course  of  construction, 
and  the  projects,  when  completed,  will  bi'ing  under  cultivation  the  entire 
territory  between  the  Uncompahgre  Plateau  and  the  Utah  line. 

SEDGWICK. 

In  the  extreme  northeast  is  situated  the  new  county  of  Sedgwick.  The 
area  is  576  square  miles,  with  Julesbui’g  the  county-seat.  The  county  was 
created  in  1889  from  Logan  county,  and  named  in  honor  of  General  Sedg- 
wick. The  population  is  1500,  of  which  Julesburg  has  500,  composed 
mostly  of  settlers  from  Nebraska  and  Iowa.  Agriculture  flourishes  here, 
the  soil  being  a sandy  loam,  with  a gently  undulating  surface.  The  county 
has  good  public  schools,  a census  of  500,  and  public  school  property  to  the 
value  of  $15,000.  Denominationally  the  people  suppox-t  the  Congregational, 
Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Catholic  and  Evangelical  churches.  The  Denver 
Short  Line  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  runs  through  the  county  a distance 
of  forty  miles.  For  phthisis  the  climate  is  excellent,  the  atmosphere  being 
dry  and  invigorating.  A portion  of  it  is  well  watered  by  the  Platte  x-iver 
and  many  fine  springs,  making  one  of  the  best  counties  in  the  State  for 
grazing.  Cattle  three  and  four  years  ago  were  scattered  here  and  there, 
where  now  are  thousands.  There  are  no  lax-ge  herds,  but  many  small 
bunches  i*anging  in  number  from  fifty  to  500,  and  every  man  living  outside 
of  town  limits  is  laying  up  money  on  cattle  and  sheep. 

Farming,  when  tried  by  natural  rainfall,  was  a failure  with  few  excep- 
tions. The  same  land  now  under  irrigation  is  bx-inging  forth  forty  to  fifty 
bushels  of  wheat  per  acre  and  other  grains  in  proportion.  The  grain  buyers 
have  done  a good  business  this  year.  There  are  ten  ditches  in  the  county 
from  foxxr  to  eighteen  miles  in  length.  Alfalfa  is  selling  for  $4  per  ton  and 
wild  hay  at  about  the  same  price.  Many  cax’loads  of  fat  cattle  and  feeders 
are  being  shipped;  also  hogs  and  sheep,  which  find  ready  sale  in  Denver. 
Potatoes  are  raised  in  abundance.  Fruit-raising  is  not  extensive.  Only 
those  who  have  windmills  have  raised  any  qxxantity.  Strawberries,  cherries 
and  other  small  fruits  have  been  in  abundance  for  home  demand,  and  straw- 
berries have  been  shipped  to  Nebraska  points. 

The  town  of  Julesburg,  the  eoxxxxty-seat,  has  undergone  many  improve- 
ments. A $15,000  schoolhouse  has  been  built  which  will  hold  200  scholars. 
A grain  elevator  has  been  built.  The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  Co.  has  built 
new  coal  chutes.  New  chxxrches  and  residences  have  been  built,  and  not  a 
saloon  or  clubrooxn  can  be  found  inside  of  the  coxxnty. 

The  county  has  only  about  $4000  indebtedness. 

SUMMIT. 

With  an  altitude  of  over  7800  feet  for  the  whole  county,  there  is  little 
else  to  do  in  Summit  except  to  mine.  As  the  name  implies,  and  the  geo- 
graphical location  confirms,  Summit  county  is  upon  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain range,  with  Gray’s  Peak  at  one  end  and  Lincoln  Peak  at  the  other.  It 
was  one  of  the  original  counties,  and  even  in  1860,  a year  or  more  after  the 


COLORADO. 


87 


gold  deposits  were  discovered,  was  rated  as  a great  mineral  section.  The 
minerals  are  gold,  silver,  lead  and  copper.  Gold  is  found  in  veins  in  con- 
nection with  other  minerals,  also  in  native  purity  varying  in  size  from  the 
brightest  flakes  to  nuggets  of  eight  or  ten  pounds.  The  placers  themselves 
are  great  producers.  Silver  is  found  with  lead  and  copper  deposits  rather 
than  in  fissures  and  contact  veins.  The  principal  districts  are  Blue  River, 
Ten  Mile,  Snake  River  and  Rock  Creek.  The  output  last  year  was  approxi- 
mately $831,538,  of  which  gold  will  value  $337,320,  silver  $403,967,  lead 
$72,480,  copper  $17,771.  There  are  about  eighty-six  mines  in  operation 
and  about  twenty  mills  and  concentrators.  The  population  dependent  upou 
mining,  for  employment  exceeds  3500. 

The  people  are  from  every  section  and  are  for  the  most  part  active  and 
enterprising.  Being  mountainous,  the  scenery  is  picturesque;  in  summer 
the  weather  is  pleasant;  there  are  plenty  of  drives  and  good  fishing;  the 
highest  peaks  and  ranges  accessible;  good  ytater  and  good  hotels — all  in  all 
the  entire  county  is  a most  attractive  resort  for  the  tourist.  For  the  invalid, 
however,  the  altitude  is  hardly  suitable,  and  sufferers  should  keep  in  the  val- 
leys and  lowlands  generally.  Railroad  facilities  are  afforded  by  the  Colo- 
rado & Southern  Railway.  Down  the  Blue  river  ranchmen  feed  their  herds. 
Here  grass  most  nutritious  is  found,  and,  there  being  plenty  of  good  water, 
stock  is  fattened  upon  the  range  for  the  market.  The  public  school  system 
is  good.  Three  denominations  flourish — the  Catholic,  Methodist  and  Con- 
gregational. The  assessed  valuation  for  the  year  was  $953,372. 

WASHINGTON. 

The  county  of  Washington,  in  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  State,  is 
in  the  rain-belt  area  of  Northern  Colorado.  It  was  organized  in  1887, 
with  an  assessed  valuation  of  $900,000.  In  April,  1889,  it  was  divided, 
and  from  the  other  portion  Yuma  county  was  created.  The  assessed  valu- 
ation of  Washington  county  for  1898  was  $741,778,  with  less  than  one-half 
as  much  territory  as  in  1887.  The  soil  cannot  be  excelled  by  any  State  in 
the  Union.  It  consists  of  a top  soil  of  a light  brown,  turning  darker  after 
being  broken,  and  a subsoil  of  an  inexhaustibly  fructifying  nature.  The 
Platte  river  and  tributaries  have  an  abundance  of  water,  and  for  wells  a 
copious  supply  is  obtained  at  a depth  of  thirty  feet.  Besides,  there  are 
natural  springs.  The  crops  of  small  grain  have  done  splendidly  this 
year,  and  the  large  quantities  of  trees  that  have  been  planted  are  very 
promising. 

The  population  of  this  county  is  1200,  of  which  Akron  has  500.  The 
people  are  all  of  a thrifty  class  from  the  New  England  States  and  Ne- 
braska. Akron,  the  county-seat,  is  a bright  town,  with  a good  hotel  and  a 
large  railroad  population.  In  addition  to  farming,  there  is  the  cattle  indus- 
try, from  which  the  people  derive  great  benefits.  For  this  business  the 
county  is  especially  adapted.  The  soil  is  covered  with  a medium  growth  of 
buffalo  grass,  with  hills  extending  along  the  southern  border  of  the  county. 
Among  these  hills  are  valleys,  in  which  large  quantities  of  grass  are  cut 
each  year,  and  they  afford  excellent  pasturage  for  stock.  There  are  four 
church  organizations  in  the  county — Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Catholic  and 
Christian.  The  Presbyterians,  being  the  first  to  organize,  have  already  a 
fine  church  building  costing  $3000.  The  Methodists  have  also  erected  their 
place  of  worship. 

Since  May  1,  1898,  there  were  shipped  and  driven  in  thousands  of  cattle 
and  sheep,  and  at  a very  low  estimate  there  were,  on  September  1,  1898, 
2500  head  of  horses,  18,000  head  of  cattle,  25,000  head  of  sheep  and  1000 
swine.  Prosperity  of  this  sort  has  the  elements  of  permanence,  and  though 
its  rate  of  progress  may  seem  slow  the  advance  is  more  rapid  than  appears, 
because  there  is  no  danger  of  a backset.  There  were  raised  10,000  bushels 


88 


COLORADO. 


wheat,  15,000  bushels  oats,  20,000  bushels  corn,  20,000  tons  hay,  millet  and 
other  forage,  this  being  all  fed  to  stock  last  winter.  While  Washington 
is  not  a mining  county,  the  prospects  are  bright  for  one  of  the  largest  placer 
mines  in  the  State.  Ore  sent  to  London  retains  an  assay  of  one  ounce  of 
gold  to  the  ton.  This  mineral  can  be  worked  by  the  electric  process  at  a 
cost  of  $1  per  ton. 

There  is  a good  opening  here  for  men  of  money  to  open  up  these  resources. 
There  is  no  section  where  the  conditions  are  more  favorable  for  breeding 
and  raising  live  stock  than  this  county.  The  essentials  for  success  in  this 
business  are  cheap  grazing  lands,  a suitable  climate,  good  water  and  a good 
market.  This  territory  being  within  a short  distance  of  Denver  and  the  great 
corn-producing  States  makes  it  valuable  to  the  stock-raiser. 

WELD. 

Thus  far  in  the  progress  of  agricultural  development  Weld  is  the  ban- 
ner wheat  and  potato  county  of  the  State.  It  is  also  famous  because  of  its 
prominent  associations  with  the  history  of  Western  settlement.  The  Platte, 
the  Cache  a la  Poudre  and  their  numerous  tributary  streams  flowing 
through  the  western  portion  of  the  county  form  a large  area  of  fertile  valley 
land,  possessing  many  beauties  of  physical  feature,  with  the  richest  of  soils 
and  a most  agreeable  climate  for  every  season  the  year  round.  Situated  in 
the  midst  of  these  charming  valleys  is  the  queenly  little  city  of  Greeley,  the 
county-seat  of  Weld.  It  was  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  renowned 
Horace  Greeley  that  the  Greeley  colony  in  1870  made  a settlement  here  and 
laid  out  the  town  site  of  Greeley.  It  was  this  identical  spot  which  Horace 
Greeley  held  in  his  mind’s  eye  when  he  wrote  the  familiar  but  famous 
admonition  of  “Go  West,  young  man,  and  grow  up  with  the  country.”  Weld 
county  formerly  embraced  all  the  territory  now  comprising  seven  counties 
in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the 
State  of  Wyoming,  on  the  west  by  Boulder  and  Larimer  counties,  on  the 
south  by  Arapahoe  and  on  the  east  by  Morgan  and  Logan  counties.  It  was 
one  of  the  original  Territorial  counties.  It  is  the  oldest  and  richest  agri- 
cultural county  in  the  State,  and  is  famous  especially  for  its  abundant  pro- 
ductiveness in  wheat,  potatoes  and  garden  vegetables.  It  takes  its  name 
from  Louis  Landgard  Weld,  the  first  Territorial  Secretary,  and  was  organ- 
ized in  1861.  The  county  covers  an  area  of  4104  square  miles,  and  has  a 
population  of  50,000.  The  entire  county  is  generally  level,  with  no  forests, 
only  the  several  streams  being  fringed  with  trees,  with  here  and  there  well- 
shaded  lines  and  lawns  about  the  farms.  The  streams  are  the  South  Platte 
and  Cache  a la  Poudre  rivers  and  the  St.  Train,  Boulder,  Lone  Tree,  Box 
Elder,  Big  Thompson  and  Little  Thompson  creeks.  The  soil  is  a rich,  sandy 
clay  loam,  well  watered  by  a thorough  system  of  irrigating  canals,  and  yields 
all  manner  of  farm  products.  The  principal  towns  are  Greeley,  with  a pop- 
ulation of  4000;  Plattville,  400;  Evans,  300;  Windsor,  300;  Eaton,  400;  Lup- 
ton,  150;  Erie,  800.  Chief  occupation  of  people,  agriculture  and  coal  mining. 
The  first  assessed  valuation  of  the  county  was  8240,000;  the  last,  $7,771,638. 
The  county  has  100  public  schools,  including  the  Greeley  Business  College 
and  the  State  Normal  School.  There  are  eight  weekly  newspapers  in  the 
county,  several  church  denominations,  twenty  church  buildings  and  thirty 
Sunday-schools.  Total  acres  of  land  available  for  agriculture,  2,000,000; 
total  acres  available  for  grazing  only,  626,560.  There  is  a great  abundance 
of  coal  in  the  county,  the  coal-mining  industry  giving  employment  to  about 
2000  people.  The  first  discoveries  were  made  in  1865,  and  there  are  now 
about  twelve  mines  in  operation.  The  largest  veins  are  located  about  Erie, 
in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  county.  It  is  estimated  that  there  is  sufficient 
coal  in  the  county  to  supply  Colorado  for  100  years.  There  are  a number  of 
main  irrigating  canals  in  the  county,  having  an  aggregate  length  of  375 


COLORADO. 


89 


miles.  The  railroad  running  through  the  county  is  the  Union  Pacific.  There 
are  no  health  resorts,  but  the  maximum  death  rate  is  about  2 per  cent. 
Among  the  resources  of  the  county  are  large  bodies  of  building  stone,  which 
have  not  been  extensively  quarried.  Brickmaking,  pickling,  canning  and 
factory  for  vacuum  pump  for  irrigation  constitute  the  principal  manufac- 
tories at  Greeley. 

The  values  of  crops  for  1898  are  as  follows:  Wheat,  900,000  bushels  at 
fifty  cents  per  bushel;  oats,  100,000  bushels  at  thirty  cents  per  bushel:  corn, 
50,000  bushels  at  forty  cents  per  bushel;  potatoes,  about  4000  carloads, 
which,  at  the  present  prices,  are  worth  something  like  8600,000;  value  of 
horses  and  mules,  8276,000;  value  of  cattle,  8700,000;  value  of  sheep,  $165,- 
000;  value  of  swine,  $20,000.  There  are  about  75,000  sheep  and  lambs 
brought  into  this  county  for  feeding,  as  well  as  a large  number  of  calves  and 
steers  now  being  fitted  for  the  market. 

Plenty  of  good  agricultural  lands,  cheap  homes,  good  schools,  good 
churches,  good  climate  and  numerous  undeveloped  industries  are  the  chief 
Inducements  for  settlement  in  Weld  county. 


YUMA. 

Yuma  is  one  of  the  new  and  progressive  agricultural  counties  in  the 
northeastern  portion  of  the  State,  in  the  rain-belt  area,  where  all  kinds  of 
farm  produce  are  raised  abundantly  without  irrigation.  It  is,  however, 
provided  in  part  with  irrigation  from  the  Republican  river.  The  county 
was  organized  in  1889.  The  population  is  1700,  composed  mostly  of  immi- 
grant farmers  from  Iowa,  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  and  a majority  of  them 
are  well-to-do  and  prosperous.  It  has  an  area  of  1440  square  miles.  For- 
merly it  was  the  eastern  extremity  of  Washington  county.  In  its  general 
■description  it  is  a slightly  undulating  prairie,  with  broad  stretches  of  level 
plains.  Yuma  county  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Phillips  county,  on  the 
-east  by  Nebraska  and  on  the  south  by  Arapahoe  county.  The  Republican 
river  and  Chief  creek  are  its  only  streams.  The  town  of  Yuma  is  the  tem- 
porary county-seat,  having  a population  of  300.  Robb,  Eckley  and  Laird 
are  farm  villages  of  about  fifty  inhabitants  each.  The  soil  of  the  county 
is  a rich,  dark  sandy  loam,  with  a black  joint  clay  subsoil.  It  is  strongly 
retentive  of  moisture,  and  thus  it  is  productive  of  vegetation  in  dry  seasons. 
The  assessed  valuation  of  the  county  for  189S  is  $907,074.  There  are  good 
public  schools  in  the  county,  with  an  estimated  school  census  of  800.  The 
Catholics,  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  have  churches  in  the  county,  with 
three  Sunday-schools,  and  a church  membership  of  about  250.  Total  acres 
of  land  available  for  agriculture,  914,820;  total  acres  available  for  grazing 
only,  6780;  total  acres  of  land  now  under  ditch.  10,000;  unoccupied  public 
lands,  80,000  acres,  nearly  all  available  for  agriculture.  Among  the  resource’s 
of  the  county  other  than  farming  is  a large  area  of  fine  sandstone,  two 
miles  from  Wray.  As  yet  the  quarries  are  undeveloped.  The  principal  in- 
ducements for  settlement  in  Yuma  county  are  a rich  soil,  an  abundance  of 
available  government  land,  and  easy  access  to  the  markets  for  all  manner 
of  produce.  Farm  products  find  a ready  market  in  Denver,  Yuma  and 
Akron.  The  extensive  development  of  Yuma  county,  when  its  brief  existence 
as  a center  of  population  is  taken  into  consideration,  gives  promise  of  a great 
future  for  its  leading  industries,  while  its  situation  and  natural  advantages 
render  it  an  eligible  site  for  the  settlement  of  the  great  host  of  immigrating 
people  who  are  moving  West  in  search  of  homes  and  occupations. 


90 


COLORADO. 


CLIMATE  AND  SOIL. 

A word  or  two  more  on  Colorado  considered  agriculturally.  Colorado 
is  a large  State,  containing  over  104,000  square  miles  of  arable  and  mountain 
land,  nearly  half  of  which  lies  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
Three  decades  have  not  yet  passed  since  the  plains  that  comprise  the  half 
were  among  the  things  that  were  unknown  and  undesirable  in  every  re- 
spect. The  plains  were  a desert,  arid  and  as  uninviting  as  the  savages 
that  roam  over  them.  They  were  not  only  arid,  but  elevated  from  5000  to 
8000  feet — so  high  that  it  was  supposed  nothing  could  be  grown.  So  small 
has  the  rainfall  been  in  the  past  time  the  soil  seems  never  to  have  been 
thoroughly  wet,  much  less  leached  by  rains;  hence  its  fertility,  not  only 
on  the  surface,  but  to  any  depth  where  shale  and  rocks  do  not  intervene. 
Since  meteorological  observations  have  been  recorded  in  the  State  the  an- 
nual rainfall  has  never  exceeded  twenty  inches,  and  in  some  seasons  it  has 
fallen  as  low  as  nine  inches. 

For  twenty-nine  years  the  average  rainfall  has  been  less  than  fifteen 
inches — a third  of  the  amount  of  rain  necessary  to  make  crops  in  rain  sec- 
tions. Under  these  conditions,  without  any  knowledge  of  the  quality  of 
our  soil,  the  influence  of  climate  and  irrigation,  the  agricultural  outlook 
was  by  no  means  inviting,  but  a single  trial  dispelled  all  theory  and  all 
fears  as  to  the  possibilities  of  success  in  agriculture.  The  soil  was  found  to 
contain  every  element  of  fertility  necessary  to  produce  all  plants  adapted 
to  this  latitude.  The  climatic  influences  were  even  more  congenial  and 
favorable  to  vegetation  than  elsewhere,  and  irrigation  afforded  advantages 
and  insured  success  no  other  State  East  or  West  enjoys. 

In  Major  J.  W.  Powell’s  report  to  the  Government  on  “The  Lands  of 
the  Arid  Region”  great  stress  is  laid  on  the  fact  which  has  been  uniformly 
observed  that  in  the  first  years  of  settlement"  the  streams  have  steadily 
increased  in  volumes.  This  fact  is  noted  in  California,  Utah  and  Colorado, 
where  irrigation  has  been  extensively  practiced.  Major  Powell  does  not 
attribute  this  to  the  laying  of  railway  tracks  or  the  construction  of  tele- 
graph poles,  or  altogether  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil — three  active  agents 
usually  quoted — but  rather  to  the  artificial  changes  wrought  by  man  on  the 
earth’s  surface.  The  destruction  of  forests,  the  cropping  of  the  grasses, 
the  treading  of  the  soil  by  cattle,  the  destruction  of  beaver  dams,  causing 
a draining  of  ponds,  the  clearing  of  driftwood  from  stream  channels,  the 
draining  of  upland  meadows,  all  conspire  to  increase  the  volume  of  water 
in  streams,  and  all  this  is  added  to  the  supply  of  water  to  be  used  in  irriga- 
tion. Of  course,  an  increased  surface  of  water  produces  increased  rainfall 
in  this  dry  atmosphere.  This  view  is  cheering  to  the  agriculturist,  it  being 
based  on  the  observation  of  years  that  with  the  advance  guard  of  the  farmer 
comes  a steadily  sure  increase  both  in  rainfall  and  increased  volume  in  every 
stream. 

THE  ALTITUDES  OF  FARMING  LANDS 

in  Colorado  range  from  3500  to  8000  feet.  From  all  the  mountain  streams 
and  watercourses  on  either  side,  canals  and  ditches  are  projected  for  miles, 
covering  immense  tracts  of  rich  and  productive  land.  So  soon  as  water  is 
applied  to  them  they  produce  wonderful  crops  with  much  less  labor  than 
the  land  in  wooded  sections.  The  soil  varies  and  is  represented  by  the  grav- 
elly, sandy,  clayey,  loamy,  calcareous,  peaty  and  adobe  soils  of  the  best 
grades,  suitable  and  remarkably  well  adapted  to  the  production  of  small 
grain,  grasses,  vegetables,  fruits  and  trees  of  all  kinds  that  grow  elsewhere 
in  this  latitude. 

In  growing  wheat,  oats,  barley  and  rye  our  soil  and  climate,  aided  by 
irrigation,  are  so  much  better  suited  to  them  than  they  are  found  to  be  in 
rainy  countries  and  sections  that  the  grain  is  much  heavier,  better  feed  and 


COLORADO. 


91 


more  prolific.  So  improved  are  they  in  every  way  that  when  compared  the 
seed  and  the  grain  raised  from  it  the  first  year  are  so  different  as  not  to  be 
recognized  as  the  same.  Our  dry  climate  has  a tendency  to  make  all  white 
grain  whiter  and  all  colored  seeds  much  more  clearly  defined  in  color.  The 
wheats  received  from  all  countries  for  trial  here  become  much  better  in 
milling  properties  after  being  raised  two  or  three  years.  The  bran  is  thin- 
ner and  the  gluten  more  abundant  and  of  better  quality. 

WHAT  CAN  BE  RAISED  AND  WHAT  IT  COSTS. 

All  the  cereals  except  rice  grow  to  perfection,  making  more  than  the 
common  average  crop  reported  elsewhere.  The  cost  of  raising  wheat  per 
acre  varies  on  account  of  the  yield  and  difficulties  attending  its  cultivation. 
The  average  cost  of  putting  it  in,  irrigating,  harvesting  and  preparing  it 
for  market,  sacked,  is  about  $12.50  per  acre.  Many  farms  lay  So  well  and 
have  water  so  convenient  that  some  crops  are  produced  for  half  that  amount. 
The  largest  yields  recorded  in  the  State  are  forty-eight,  fifty-four,  sixty-six 
and  seventy  bushels  per  acre,  field  culture.  The  average  yield  per  acre  over 
the  State  in  1886  was  twenty-three  bushels;  in  1887,  26.5. 

Oats  yield  much  more  and  weigh  from  forty  to  fifty-four  pounds  per 
bushel.  Our  dry  climate,  the  strong  mineral  soil  and  the  timely  application 
of  water  at  the  time  the  crops  need  it  have  a tendency  to  make  all  grain 
heavier  and  of  a better  quality. 

BARLEY  AND  RYE 

exceed  themselves  from  the  same  causes  in  weight,  color,  quality  and 
yield.  They  are  nearly  double  the  size  of  the  seed  received,  and  the  common 
winter  rye  becomes  in  many  instances,  a perennial,  producing  crop  after  crop 
from  the  same  roots.  A ready  market  is  found  for  all  the  cereals  at  a fair 
price.  Unlike  small  grains, 

CORN 

for  some  years  was  not  a success  on  account  of  cool  nights  and  high  altitude. 
But  for  the  past  few  years  certain  varieties  have  been  so  improved  and 
acclimated  that  in  nearly  all  portions  of  the  State  they  are  as  successfully 
grown  as  elsewhere,  producing  as  high  as  twenty-five,  forty  and  even  sixty 
bushels  per  acre,  and  the  fodder  is  of  a superior  quality.  Corn  requires 
much  less  water  than  the  small  grains.  It  is  often  raised  without  a single 
irrigation,  and  has  been  successfully  matured  at  an  altitude  of  6000  feet 
without  water.  The  flint  varieties  of  corn  are  remarkably  well  adapted  to 
this  climate,  ripening  always  before  frost  and  making  a large  yield.  The 
dent  corn  is  longer  in  maturing  and  is  often  caught  by  early  frosts;  how- 
ever, several  varieties  have  been  so  improved  as  to  ripen  in  100  days  all  over 
the  State.  So  much  is  now  raised  that  it  has  become  an  important  factor 
in  feeding.  The  cost  of  raising  corn  in  Colorado  varies,  as  does  the  cost  of 
other  products.  The  average  over  the  State  is  about  $11.50,  and  the  fodder 
is  estimated  to  pay  for  the  work  of  cultivation,  that  is,  when  the  corn  is  cut 
up,  cured  and  housed  at  the  proper  time. 

THE  GRASSES, 

both  tame  and  wild,  are  becoming  the  most  important  of  all  stock  foods. 
The  tame  grasses  are  successfully  grown,  make  large  yields  of  very  nutri- 
tive hay,  and,  as  shown  by  analysis,  are  nearly  double  in  valuable  albumi- 
noids when  compared  with  the  same  grasses  in  rainy  sections.  Timothy, 
orchard  and  bluegrass  make  two  crops  a year,  producing  one  and  one-half  to 


COLORADO. 


32 


two  und  one-half  tons  per  acre.  By  forcing  them  by  irrigation  in  some  soils 
they  will  make  three  crops  of  hay.  When  sown  with  clover  and  alfalfa 
timothy  and  orchard  grass  make  but  one  crop. 

The  three  wild  grasses,  viz.,  gramma,  buffalo  and  blue-stem,  constitute 
from  75  to  90  per  cent,  of  the  entire  grass  product  upon  which  the  range 
stock  subsists.  The  comparative  analyses  of  these  grasses  show  their  nutri- 
tive value  to  be  superior  to  all  others  elsewhere,  and  certainly  the  condition 
of  the  stock  that  feeds  upon  them  verifies  this  assertion.  The  first  two  are 
strictly  pasture  grasses,  while  the  blue-stem  grows  tall  and  thick  enough  to 
be  cut  for  hay.  Until  within  a few  years  the  public  domain  has  been  used 
in  pasturing  immense  herds  of  cattle,  horses  and  sheep  the  year  around. 
At  this  time  cattle  brought  paying  prices,  making  the  stock  business  one  of 
the  most  lucrative  in  the  State.  Now  that  the  most  of  this  land  is  fenced 
and  the  price  of  beef  cattle  is  low  fewer  herds  are  seen  on  the  range. 
Instead  of  increasing,  stockmen  are  making  their  herds  much  smaller  and 
of  better  blood,  whith  they  find  pays  as  well  as  large  herds  of  poorer 
stock.  The  clovers  are  among  our  best  forage  plants.  They  make  our 
largest  paying  hay  crops,  and  are  most  admirably  adapted  to  the  soils  and 
climate  of  this  arid  region.  The  common  red  clover  makes  three  crops  of 
hay  a year,  and,  what  seems  strange  to  Eastern  people,  the  second  and  third 
cuttings  make  as  good  hay  as  the  first.  This  clover  makes  two  crops  of 
seed  in  the  same  season — a thing  never  heard  of  in  any  other  section.  In 
July  the  first  crop  makes  five  or  six  bushels  of  seed  per  acre,  and  in  October 
the  second  crop  turns  out  one  and  one-half  to  two  bushels  more.  Clover,  as 
yet,  has  not  been  affected  by  any  disease,  nor  has  it  even  in  any  locality 
been  killed  out  where  it  received  the  proper  treatment.  Mammoth,  white 
and  alsike  clovers,  like  the  red  clover,  grow  most  luxuriantly,  making  large 
■crops  of  hay  and  seed. 

ALFALFA  IS  KING 

of  all  clovers.  It  is  an  all-purpose  plant,  being  relished  by  all  kinds  of 
stock.  Up  to  this  time  no  known  forage  plant  has  been  found  to  equal  if. 
Its  growth,  with  and  without  water,  is  simply  enormous.  Having  once  a 
good  stand,  it  tenaciously  defies  all  effort  to  eradicate  it.  Plowing  in,  turn- 
ing it  over,  only  makes  it  grow  and  produce,  better.  It  makes  three,  and 
sometimes  four,  cuttings  a year,  averaging  from  one  and  one-half  to  three 
tons  per  cutting.  In  some  portions  of  the  State  it  is  cut  every  month,  from 
June  to  October.  For  milk  and  meat,  with  bran  and  meal,  no  forage  plant 
does  better.  The  cost  of  raising  it  is  quite  small,  as  it  needs  no  attention 
except  irrigation,  cutting  and  curing.  On  being  turned  over  in  the  fall  it 
makes  a fine  soil  for  small  grain,  and  will  of  itself  come  from  the  roots,  pro- 
ducing in  the  grain  a ton  or  two  of  hay  and  seed  along  with  the  grain. 

CLIMATE  AND  HEALTH. 

The  superiority  of  Colorado  climate  for  all  lung  diseases  has  long  been 
recognized  in  the  scientific  world,  and  the  State  has  become  the  Mecca  of 
consumptives.  In  all  countries  high  altitudes  and  dry  atmosphere  are  the 
healthy  places  for  residences.  The  purity  and  peculiar  qualities  of  the  at- 
mosphere is  the  main  reason  ascribed.  One  important  reason  is  the  in- 
crease of  the  breathing  capacity  by  the  rarified  air,  the  expansion  of  the 
chest  and  the  power  of  the  muscles  used  in  respiration.  Standard  medical 
authorities  give  abundant  reasons  why  the  rarified  air  of  high  altitudes  is 
efficacious  in  the  arrest  and  cure  of  pulmonary  diseases,  and  there  are  thous- 
ands of  individual  experiences  in  Colorado  today  which  confirm  their  theo- 
ries. In  an  exhaustive  discussion  of  this  subject  an  eminent  physician  of 
Denver,  who  has  devoted  his  professional  life  mainly  to  this  study,  illustrates 
his  argument  by  showing  the  climatic  or  physical  causes  of  purity  of  atmos- 


COLORADO. 


93 


phere  as  well  as  by  evidence  of  experience.  The  relative  attributes  are  pre- 
sented as  follows: 

Dryness,  as  opposed  to  moisture. 

Coolness  or  cold,  preferable  to  warmth  or  heat. 

Rarefaction,  as  opposed  to  sea-level  pressure. 

Sunshine,  as  opposed  to  cloudiness. 

Variability  of  temperature,  as  opposed  to  equability. 

Marked  diathermancy  of  the  air,  to  be  preferred  to  the  smoky  atmosphere 
of  cities  or  the  dense  air  strata  of  moist  currents. 

Radiation  and  absorption  of  heat  by  rocks  and  sandy  loams  better  than 
latent  absorption. 

Mountainous  transfiguration  contrasted  with  flatness  of  level  sections: 

Frequent  electrical  changes  of  atmosphere,  also  moderate  winds  (except 
in  quite  cold  weather)  preferable  to  continuous  stillness  of  air. 

Inland  altitudes  contrasted  with  sea  air. 

Without  presenting  the  arguments  and  technicalities  of  a tedious  scien- 
tific discussion,  it  is  sufficient  to  show  conclusively  that  in  Colorado  all  the 
conditions  of  health  are  met.  There  is  a sufficient  altitude  to  cause  lung  and 
chest  development;  there  is  the  dry,  exhilarating  mountain  air,  with  an 
almost  absolute  absence  of  malaria;  there  is  the  tonic  effect  of  a bracing 
climate,  without  its  rigors;  an  atmosphere  filled  with  ozone;  cool  nights  in 
summer;  a bright,  sunny  sky  almost  every  day  in  the  year,  conducive  of 
cheerfulness,  and  bringing  a new  pleasure  every  morning.  It  naturally  fol- 
lows from  these  conditions  that  both  mind  and  body  are  constantly  stim- 
ulated in  their  functions. 

The  most  powerful  argument  that  could  be  presented  in  favor  of  Colo- 
rado as  a general  health  resort  would  be  the  testimony  of  the  many  invalids,, 
who,  years  ago,  having  despaired  of  life  in  the  East,  are  now  strong  and 
actively  engaged  in  the  business  affairs  of  the  West.  Everywhere  in  the 
State  are  to  be  found  persons  by  the  scores  who  came  to  Colorado  suffering 
with  asthma  or  consumption  who  now  claim  to  be  much  improved  or 
entirely  restored  to  health.  That  the  climate  is  in  itself  a preventive  of 
phthisis  is  evidenced  in  the  fact  that  consumption  does  not  originate  there. 
The  few  cases  said  to  have  originated  in  Colorado  can  almost  always  be 
found  to  have  been  inherited  or  brought  in  incipiency  from  the  East  or  lower 
altitudes  of  the  West. 

The  pocket  diary  of  a well-known  citizen  of  Denver,  who  was  cured  of 
asthma,  showed  a record  of  only  thirty-three  days  in  twelve  years  in  which 
the  sun  was  not  visible  during  the  twenty-four  hours.  This  record  is  an  im- 
portant and  leading  factor,  which,  besides  carrying  with  it  all  the  peculiar 
attributes  to  be  ascribed  to  a pure  atmosphere,  presents  a most  important 
fact,  which  is  not  overlooked  by  the  medical  profession — the  curative  in- 
fluence of  atmospheric  electricity.  It  is  affirmed  that  the  increased  elec- 
trical influence  of  high-altitude  atmosphere  is  one  of  the  most  valuable 
aids  in  the  battle  against  consumption.  With  a clear  sky  the  electricity 
of  the  air  is  always  positive.  Continued  mediumship  of  the  human  body 
between  the  positive  air  and  the  negative  earth  is  a constant  renewal  of 
vitality.  For  this  reason  camping  out  and  “roughing  it”  as  much  as  possible 
in  dry  and  elevated  countries  is  advised. 

The  places  of  peculiar  advantage  in  seeking  health  are  the  cities  and 
towns  on  the  plains  and  the  park  and  pleasure  resorts  of  the  mountains. 
Fatients  should  not  go  to  the  mountains  until  after  they  have  spent  some 
weeks  on  the  plains.  The  summer  is  the  more  favorable  time  for  mountain 
resort.  In  many  instances  the  plains  are  the  most  beneficial  for  a perma- 
nent residence.  In  this  respect  Denver  is  a notable  example,  and  while  it 
is  the  commercial  metropolis  of  the  State,  it  has  also  become  famous  as  a 


94 


COLORADO. 


health  resort.  Situated  upon  an  almost  level  plane,  twelve  miles  east  of  the 
foot-hills,  at  an  altitude  of  only  5200  feet,  or  a little  less  than  a miles  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  with  a clear,  bracing  atmosphere,  a high  and  dry  loca- 
tion, an  abundance  of  shade  from  the  foliage,  with  a fine  supply  of  pure 
artesian  water,  and  all  the  conveniences  of  life  at  hand,  it  cannot  be  less 
than  a sanitarium  for  all  the  ailments  the  flesh  is  heir  to. 

The  beneficial  effect  of  Colorado  climate  upon  consumptives  is  best  illus- 
trated by  the  result  in  202  cases  under  the  care  of  one  of  Denver’s  most 
eminent  physicians  within  a period  of  five  years,  all  the  persons  having 
come  to  Colorado  while  the  disease  was  in  progress,  and  classified  as  fol- 
lows: First  stage  (deposit),  75;  second  stage  (softening),  42 ; third  stage 
(excavation),  85.  The  first-stage  cases  averaged  one  year  and  eight  months 
sick  before  coming.  Results:  Much  improved,  64;  slight  improvement, 

10;  advance  of  disease,  1.  Second  stage:  One  year  and  five  months  be- 
fore coming.  Average:  Much  improved,  16;  slightly  improved,  12;  fav- 
orable resistance  to  disease,  6;  advance  of  disease,  8;  now  known  to  be  in 
the  State,  26.  Third  stage:  These  cases  averaged  two  years  and  eight 

months  sick  before  coming,  and  one  had  eight  months’  residence  in  the  State. 
Result:  Much  improved,  15;  slightly  improved,  22;  favorable  resistance, 
17 ; extension  and  advance,  31. 

At  the  International  Medical  Congress,  held  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  in 
1887,  Dr.  Charles  Dennison,  of  Denver,  regarded  as  the  highest  authority  on 
the  treatment  of  consumption  in  the  high  altitude  of  Colorado,  was  assigned 
to  that  subject  and  made  an  exhaustive  report  from  which  the  following 
general  conclusions  are  extracted: 

“1.  In  the  treatment  of  ordinary  consumption,  cool  and  dry  climates  very 
generally  give  more  favorable  results  than  those  that  are  warm  and  moist; 
and  both  coolness  and  dryness  are  increased  by  elevation  above  the  sea. 

“Conversely.  As  atmospheric  humidity  promotes  an  equable  temperature, 
by  the  capacity  moist  air  has  for  absorbing  the  heat  of  the  sun’s  rays  and 
preventing  the  radiation  of  the  same  when  once  absorbed,  therefore,  too 
much  importance  has  hitherto  been  given  to  equable  temperature,  since  it 
decreases  with  coldness  and  dryness  and  generally  presupposes  a very  humid 
atmosphere  or  a continuous  moist  wind. 

“2.  As  the  most  favorable  climatic  qualities,  the  coolness,  diathermancy 
and  dryness  of  the  air,  the  amount  of  sunshine  and  atmospheric  electricity, 
are  increasingly  found  with  increasing  elevation  and  distance  from  the  sea, 
the  localization  of  the  ideal  climate  we  have  been  seeking  is  rendered  easy 
in  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  foot-hills,  between  the  altitudes  of  four  to  eight 
thousand  feet.  This  localization  is  further  favored  by  the  conformation 
of  the  country,  the  perfect  drainage,  the  gradual  approach  to  and  the  pro- 
tection of  the  mountains,  the  character  of  the  soil,  the  dx-yness  of  the 
winters,  the  scanty  rainfall  coming  in  health-giving  showers  during  warm 
weather,  the  abundance  of  room  and  fa  voidable  localities,  both  within  and 
outside  of  the  foot-hills — altitude  and  exposure  to  the  sun,  rather  than 
latitude,  deciding  the  question  of  locality. 

“3.  The  modus  operandi  of  the  curative  effects  of  atmospheric  pressure, 
lessened  by  one-sixth  to  one-fourth  of  that  at  sea  level,  seems  to  be  that 
it  acts  upon  diseased  portions  of  the  lungs  through  the  increase  of  the  res- 
pirations and  the  muscular  action  of  the  heart,  thus  promoting  hematosis 
and  a freer  flow  of  the  circulating  fluid  into  and  through  the  affected  portion, 
which  approximates  a healthy  circulation  and  pi’events  or  bi’ings  to  an  end 
(when  already  existing)  the  stasis  of  the  blood  which  accompanies  or  causes 
actual  disease. 

“4.  The  generally  accepted  statement  that  a change  of  climate  and 
mode  of  life  is  favorable  to  the  cure  of  pulmonary  consumption  in  propor- 
tion to  its  early  adoption,  is  rendered  more  positive  if  the  invalid  resorts 


COLORADO. 


95 


to  suc-li  high  inland  plateaus  as  those  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  regions,  be- 
cause the  results  are  more  decided. 

“5.  The  stimulating  effect  of  high  altitudes,  associated  with  accelerated 
respirations  and  more  powerful  action  of  the  heart,  is  opposed  to  the  idea 
of  rest,  so  necessary  to  the  cure  of  most  human  ills,  but  constitutes  a most 
important  agent  in  arresting  chonic  phthisis. 

“6.  Generally  speaking,  tissue  change  should  be  stimulated  or  hastened 
in  consumptives  according  to  their  ability  to  bear  it;  therefore,  the  conclu- 
sion naturally  follows — as  experience  in  Colorado  proves  that  altitude  has- 
tens tissue  change-Whe  better  the  resistance  of  the  system  to  this  change 
the  more,  generally  speaking,  is  elevation  indicated. 

‘‘7.  Though  change  of  occupation  and  out-door  life,  are  very  important 
means  of  arresting  consumption,  yet  the  aid  of  an  atmosphere  of  lessened 
pressure  is  worthy  to  rank  with  such  hygienic  measures  as  an  additional 
remedy;  a statement  hitherto  not  accepted  by  many. 

“8.  Lessened  barometric  pressure — twenty-five  to  twenty-four  inches— 
being  an  important  condition  of  successful  climatic  treatment,  a resort  to 
a well  chosen  elevated  climate  should  constitute  part  of  the  physician's 
advice  to  every  consumptive,  who  can  follow  it,  for  whom  the  elevation 
is  not  specially  contra-indicated. 

“9.  The  favorable  or  positive  influence  of  high  altitude  upon  the  progress 
of  consumption  is  best  shown  in  the  commencement  of  chronic  inflammatory 
and  hemorrhagic  cases,  and  generally  in  fibrous  phthisis  in  young  and 
middle-aged  subjects  with  little  constitutional  disturbance. 

‘TO.  The  unfavorable  or  negative  influence  of  high  altitude  upon  the 
progress  of  consumption  is  mainly  seen  in  proportion  as  the  disease  ap- 
proaches or  is  complicated  with  the  following  conditions,  which  are  in- 
tensified by  an  irritable  nervous  state  and  lack  of  desirable  will  power, 
aided  by  the  stimulus  and  hope  of  youth,  i.  e.:  First,  cardiac  disease,  if 
associated  with  increased  labor  and  abnormal  activity  of  the  heart;  second, 
the  stage  of  softening,  in  acute  cases,  and  with  extensive  deposit;  third, 
chronic  third-stage  eases  with  one-third  to  one-half  of  the  lung  surface 
involved  in  diseased  charges,  if  the  thermometrical  and  other  usual  signs 
of  constitutional  disturbance  are  present  in  a marked  degree,  or  if  hemor- 
rhage from  a cavity  easily  occurs;  advanced  age  being  generally  considered 
a further  unfavorable  modifier. 

“11.  While  the  great  majority  of  invalids  may  go  immediately  to  the 
base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  (5.500  to  6,500  feet),  in  serious  cases  the 
approach  to  the  elevated  section  should  be  gradual,  according  to  the  disturb- 
ance of  the  circulation,  respiration,  etc.,  at  lesser  elevations;  this  accli- 
matization, or  the  return  of  the  pulse  and  respiration  nearly  to  the  usual 
standard,  having  there  (say  2,000  to  4,000  feet)  been  first  accomplished. 
And  this  caution  is  especially  to  be  observed  by  those  in  whom  hemorrhage 
or  acute  symptoms  exist  or  are  very  easily  excited. 

“12.  Generally  speaking,  the  more  seriously  the  respiratory  organs, 
heart,  etc.,  are  impaired,  the  less  is  the  elevation  that  will  produce  a given 
disturbance  of  them;  therefore,  a lessened  atmospheric  pressure,  with  con- 
comitant climate  variations,  should  be  chosen,  which  is,  in  so  far  as  possible, 
adapted  to  the  physical  condition  of  the  lungs,  state  of  nervous  system,  etc., 
in  each  individual  case;  or,  to  approximate  a more  concise  conclusion,  the 
ultimate  prescription,  so  far  as  elevation  is  concerned,  should  be  from  one 
thousand  to  three  thousand  feet  lower  than  that  at  which  a somewhat 
prolonged  residence  would  be  injurious  to  a given  invalid. 

- “13.  While  desirable  coolness  increases  the  oxygen-containing  capacity 
of  the  atmosphere,  altitude  has  a counter  influence  and  necessitates  an 
active  out-door  life  to  insure  the  best  results;  or  again,  the  more  an  invalid 
feels  obliged  to  remain  in  confined  apartments,  just  as  the  more  he  is 


COLORADO. 


9(3 

deprived  of  his  normal  breathing  capacity,  then  the  more  are  extreme 
elevations  unsuitable  for  him. 

"14.  A somewhat  prolonged  residence  is  essential  in  the  climate  in  which 
a certain  consumptive  finds  his  disease  arrested;  and  a partial  recovery 
generally  necessitates  a permanent  residence,  the  return  to  the  locality  of 
the  origination  of  the  disease,  except  temporarily,  being  generally  a danger 
procedure.” 

It  is  the  habit  of  people  everywhere,  if  they  have  any  curiosity  concern- 
ing Colorado,  to  inquire  about  its  climate.  Its  reputation  has  gone  abroad 
as  a very  healthful  climate,  mainly  in  its  beneficial  effect  upon  asthmatics 
and  consumptives.  Concerning  this  part  the  most  favorable  impressions 
formed  abroad  are  correct.  More  information  has  been  given  through  the 
public  prints  concerning  the  climatic  advantages  of  Colorado  than  upon  any 
other  subject.  And  yet  there  is  nothing  about  the  State  so  little  understood 
by  those  who  have  not  spent  some  time  within  its  borders.  Usually  the 
inquiries  are  made  in  the  nature  of  objections.  They  say:  "It  is  so  ter- 

ribly cold  out  there.”  It  is  not  terribly  cold.  In  midwinter  there  are  brief 
spells  of  severe  cold  occurring  at  long  intervals,  often  not  more  than  two 
such  spells  in  the  year.  In  Northern  and  Eastern  States  such  weather  oc- 
curs at  frequent  intervals  through  the  winter  and  often  continues  through 
the  season.  It  is  objected  that  “it  does  not  rain.”  It  does  rain,  often  and 
copiously  in  the  spring  and  summer  months,  the  time  when  most  needed. 
It  is  complained  that  the  “wind  blows.”  As  it  blows  elsewhere,  so  it  blows 
in  Colorado— occasionally.  Sometimes  these  winds  are  momentarily  dis- 
agreeable, but  they  serve  nature  as  one  of  her  sanitary  measures  and  their 
effect  is  refreshing  and  beneficial. 

The  remarkable  characteristics  of  Colorado  weather  are  the  prevalence 
of  sunshine  in  winter  as  well  as  in  summer,  and  the  uniform  mildness  of  the 
temperature  all  the  year  round.  The  exhilarating  nature  of  the  atmosphere 
is  a matter  of  individual  experience,  which  is  expressed  in  the  often  re- 
peated declaration  that  it  is  “a  luxury  to  breathe  the  air.”  The  qualities 
ascribed  in  general  terms  which  exert  this  inspirating  influence  upon  people 
are  its  lightness,  dryness,  purity  and  electrical  conditions. 

The  character  of  the  seasons  is  that  which  has  the  greater  charms  for 
the  inhabitant.  In  the  mountains,  during  the  winter,  snow  and  cloudiness 
are  much  more  prevalent,  but  the  temperature  has  a higher  average  than 
in  the  valleys  and  plains,  and  the  weather  is  seldom  severe.  On  the  plains 
a short  winter  and  a pleasant  season  is  the  rule  rather  than  the  exception. 
Winter  does  not  truly  begin  till  the  middle  of  December  and  ends  by  the 
first  of  March,  when  a cool,  usually  damp,  spring  sets  in,  continuing  till  the 
latter  part  of  May,  when  it  ushers  in  the  summer.  This  is  the  charming 
part  of  the  year,  When  mountains  and  plains  and  fields  and  forests  are 
verdure-clad.  Summer  weather  continues  till  October  on  the  plains.  The 
days  are  usually  bright  and  clear,  the  sun’s  rays  become  intense  at  times, 
but  the  mercury  seldom  reaches  90°.  Very  rarely  it  has  reached  100°,  and 
is  normal  in  summer  at  about  70°.  While  it  becomes  intensely  warm  in 
the  sun,  it  is  not  an  oppressive  heat,  and  relief  is  always  found  in  a gentle 
breeze  or  within  the  shade,  whether  of  house  or  tree.  Sunstrokes  and  cy- 
clones are  unknown  in  Colorado.  The  summer  nights  are  almost  invariably 
cool,  inviting  out-door  exercise  and  inducing  rest  and  refreshing  sleep. 

In  the  mountains  the  summer  temperature  is  almost  invariably  mild  and 
equable,  and  so  cool  at  night  that  blankets  and  wraps  are  never  omitted. 
The  autumns  continue  until  the  middle  of  December,  and  often  later.  This 
is  the  most  delightful  time  of  the  year.  For  the  most  part  it  is  warm,  but 
seldom  too  warm  or  too  cool  for  comfort,  while  cloudless  skies,  bright  sun- 
shine and  a mild,  pure  atmosphere  prevail  almost  uninterruptedly  through 
the  season.  Almost  uniformly  in  winter  the  snows  are  light,  evaporating 
under  the  sun’s  rays,  and  remaining  but  a short  time  upon  the  ground. 


COLORADO. 


97 


It  is  an  universally  admitted  fact  among  the  students  of  science  that  the 
characteristics  of  climate  form  an  essential  part  in  the  peculiarities  of  a 
country  and  its  people.  The  patent  virtue  of  Colorado  climate  in  its  influ- 
ence upon  vegetable  and  animal  life,  and  upon  the  health  and  habits  of  the 
people  is  so  apparent  and  so  famous  that  it  has  attracted  interest  in  all 
parts  of  the  world. 


TRIPS  FOR  THE  TOURIST. 

The  scenes,  incidents  and  adventures  of  tourist  travel  in  Colorado  have 
furnished  writers  with  the  material  for  many  of  the  most  entertaining  de- 
scriptive letters  ever  published  in  America.  These  letters  found  their  more 
eager  and  more  numerous  readers  twenty  years  ago,  when  there  were  no 
railroads,  and  when  the  journey  by  wagon,  on  horse  and  on  foot,  over  the 
mountain  trail  or  through  the  perilous  passes,  was  fraught  with  difficulties, 
dangers  and  wild  adventures.  Then  the  Indian  was  to  be  found  on  every 
pathway,  ready  to  take  the  scalp  of  a white  man  if  he  were  in  the  humor  to 
do  so,  while  hungry  bears  and  ferocious  mountain  lions  lurked  in  the  way. 
Such  perils  as  these  added  to  the  hardships  of  pleasure-seeking  under  diffi- 
culties, added  greatly  to  the  charm  of  the  narrative,  as  it  appeared  in  print, 
and  made  a hero  of  the  tourist.  But  such  embarrassments  as  these  must 
have  taken  much  of  the  romance  out  of  the  trip  and  marred  one’s  perception 
of  the  grand  and  beautiful  in  the  glorious  mountain  scenery  and  delicious  air. 

These  same  mountain  trails  and  difficult  passages  amid  the  peaks  and 
chasms  of  the  Rockies  remain  today,  and  the  mountains  stand  around  about 
them  in  their  majestic  grandeur,  and  the  same  rude  facilities  as  of  old  for 
a tedious  and  leisurely  journey  are  available  on  every  hand.  But  the  In- 
dian is  gone,  wild  beasts  are  disappearing,  and  there  is  little  left  of  the  wild 
adventure  of  former  days. 

With  the  new  area  of  railroads  there  is  a change  that  brings  many'  new 
charms,  and  affords  the  tourist  a more  delightful  journey  through  the  Rock- 
ies. With  easy  and  rapid  transit  along  the  valleys,  or  plunging  wildly 
through  the  canons,  or  whirling  around  and  over  the  duzzy  summits,  the 
tourist  of  today  may  sit  at  the  window  of  his  luxurious  palace  car,  charmed 
with  wonder  and  admiration  as  the  grand  panorama  of  mountain  peaks  roll 
by  as  if  upon  a scroll — with  here  and  there  a charming  vista  of  glens,  peaks 
and  valleys  with  their  sparkling  waters,  their  verdure  and  their  flowers — 
an  ever  changeful  vision  of  all  that  is  grotesque  and  beautiful  in  this  rugged 
configuration  in  the  face  of  Mother  Earth. 

Starting  from  Denver  with  suitable  provision  and  equipage  there  is  no 
part  of  Colorado  that  cannot  be  reached  by  private  conveyance. 

Starting  from  the  Union  depot,  all  the  great  mining  regions,  the  chief 
attractions  of  mountain  scenery  and  many  of  the  rivers,  parks  and  places 
of  health  and  pleasure  resort  may  be  reached  by  rail.  Whether  by  the  Colo- 
rado & Southern  railway,  through  Clear  Creek  Canon  to  Black  Hawk, 
Central,  Georgetown,  and  over  the  famous  Loop,  the  marvel  of  modern  rail- 
way engineering;  or  whether  by  the  same  road  through  Platte  Canon  over 
Kenosha  Summit  to  Leadville,  or  through  Alpine  Pass  and  Alpine  Tunnel 
to  Gunnison — everywhere  his  eyes  will  rest  upon  continuous  changes  of 
•splendid  scenery,  and  the  trip  will  be  a constant  delight,  and  as  much  may 
be  seen  in  a day  as  could  be  traveled  over  in  a week  by  way  of  the  wagon 
road  or  trail. 

The  tourist,  if  he  prefers  to  make  these  daily  jaunts,  should  be  estab- 
lished at  Denver  as  his  headquarters,  can  leave  the  Union  depot  in  the 
morning,  passing  over  the  Loop,  spend  an  hou’-  at  Graymont,  at  the  foot  of 
Gray's  Peak,  and  returning  to  Georgetown  in  the  afternoon.  There  he  can 
remain  if  he  choose,  returning  via  Black  Hawk  and  Central  to  Denver  the 
following  day. 


98 


COLORADO. 


For  a trip  over  tlie  South  Park  he  will  leave  Denver  in  the  morning, 
passing  through  some  of  the  most  interesting  scenery  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  reaching  Leadville  early  in  the  evening.  After  a day  spent  in 
viewing  the  curiosities  of  the  great  mining  camp,  another  day  may  be 
passed  in  a ride  over  the  mountain  summits  to  Aspen  or  Glenwood  Springs. 
Returning,  another  day’s  journey  is  made  from  Leadville  to  Gunnison  through 
Alpine  Tunnel  and  over  Alpine  Pass. 

Then  upon  his  return  to  Denver  should  his  fancy  turn  to  pastoral  de- 
lights, he  may  take  the  morning  train  and  make  the  circuit  of  the  great  farms 
and  meadows  of  Weld,  Larimer,  Boulder  and  Jefferson  counties,  passing 
through  the  delightful  little  cities  of  Greeley,  Ft.  Collins,  Loveland,  Long- 
mont, Boulder  and  Golden,  returning  to  Denver  in  the  evening. 

Thus  all  the  attractions  of  the  plains  and  the  east  front  of  the  Rocky 
Range  may  he  visited  in  a week,  with  also  glimpses  of  the  western  slope 
in  the  ride  to  Glenwood  and  Gunnison. 


HEALTH  RESORTS  AND  ATTRACTIONS. 

There  is  no  region  in  America  richer  in  mineral  springs  than  Colorado, 
while  throughout  the  State  there  are  pleasure  resorts  and  splendid  places 
of  attraction  of  various  kinds  in  great  numbers.  It  has  been  truly  said  that 
all  of  Colorado  is  a health  resort,  and  this  statement  is  sustained  by  the 
most  eminent  physicians  of  the  country.  What,  with  its  beautiful  cities  on 
the  plains,  its  gorgeous  mountain  peaks  and  lovely  valleys,  its  awful  canons 
and  their  rushing  torrents,  its  forests  and  streams,  its  broad  green  parks 
and  charming  crystal  lakes  amid  the  mountains,  what  more  could  nature 
provide  or  man  desire  for  his  welfare  or  his  delights?  Not  only  the  health- 
giving mineral  and  thermal  springs  which  gush  spontaneously  from  the 
mountain  sides  invite  the  invalid  and  the  weary;  but  in  all  the  rest  of  these 
charms  of  nature  is  found  a panacea  for  the  ills  and  cares  of  body  and 
mind  diseased. 

Until  of  late  years  there  was  the  only  choice  in  America  of  the  seaside 
beach,  the  inland  resorts  of  New  York  and  New  England,  and  the  Northern 
lakes.  Now,  with  the  lines  of  quick  transit  from  the  East  and  the  West, 
with  a large  and  growing  industrial  population,  with  splendid  facilities  for 
entertainment,  with  cosmopolitan  institutions  and  customs,  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  offers  delightful  summer  resorts  and  all-the-year  residences 
that  compare  with  the  most  famous  places  of  attraction  in  the  world.  Not 
only  the  invalid,  but  the  tourist  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  comes  to  Colo- 
rado for  recuperation  and  rest. 

It  is  especially  inportant  that  the  curative  properties  of  Colorado  mineral 
waters  should  be  understood  wherever  the  afflicted  may  find  it  possible  to 
avail  themselves  of  their  benefits.  It  is  the  testimony  of  the  wisest  doctors 
of  medicine  the  world  over  that  the  mineral  waters  of  all  countries  which 
contain  such  ingredients  as  are  found  in  Colorado  waters  possess  a remedy 
aud  often  a cure  for  rheumatism,  liver,  kidney  and  skin  diseases,  and  always 
beneficial  to  the  consumptive.  The  vast  deposits  of  mineral  in  the  moun- 
tains impregnate  the  waters  of  the  snow,  which  bubbling  up  in  some  ro- 
mantic nook  in  the  hills,  furnish  innumerable  mineral  springs,  whose  life- 
giving  liquid  has  been  availed  of  as  a universal  restorer.  The  aborigines  of 
the  country  and  the  Indian^  of  modem  times  have  availed  themselves  of 
their  benefits,  and  the  latter  add  their  testimony  to  that  of  the  physicians 
and  to  the  experiences  of  the  white  people  of  today,  that  these  waters  have 
wrough  wonderful  relief  and  miraculous  cures  to  the  afflicted. 

While  there  are  a number  of  designated  places  of  resort,  because  of  the 
presence  of  these  mineral  waters  and  other  superior  hygienic  conditions,  it 


COLORADO. 


P9 


tan  truly  be  said  that  there  is  scarcely  a town  or  station  on  the  Union  Pacific 
lines  in  Colorado  where  there  is  lacking  the  elements  that  render  it  a health 
resort,  either  by  reason  of  its  climate,  its  healing  waters  or  its  wealth  of 
attractions  for  the  health  and  pleasure  seeker. 


IDAHO  SPRINGS. 

Idaho  Springs  is  a lovely  village,  nestling  among  the  grandest  mountains 
in  the  world.  For  the  excellence  of  its  mineral  springs  and  baths,  for  its 
magnificent  scenery,  and  by  reason  of  its  admirable  location  and  well 
adapted  equipments,  it  naturally  becomes  the  finest  health  resort  in  Colo- 
rado. This  fact  is  claimed  for  the  Springs  by  thousands  of  people  who 
understand  the  superior  nature  of  its  climate  and  the  excellence  of  its  local 
hygienic  advantages.  The  place  is  of  easy  access,  affording  the  most  in- 
teresting trip  in  the  State.  It  is  situated  at  the  head  or  western  end  of 
Clear  Creek  Canon,  in  Clear  Creek  county,  and  is  thirty-seven  miles  from 
Denver.  The  ride  occupies  less  than  two  hours,  but  there  is  no  journey 
in  the  State  occupying  the  same  length  of  time  that  will  furnish  so  many 
surprises  of  scenery  and  romantic  effect.  Leaving  Denver,  the  train  ap- 
proaches the  foot-hills  for  a distance  of  twelve  miles,  and  passing  fertile 
fields  and  comfortable-looking  farms,  the  cars,  as  if  tired  of  coquetting  with 
the  cool  and  enticing-looking  mountains,  suddenly  plunge  into  their  very 
midst  and  in  the  rocky  defiles  of  Clear  Creek  Canon,  whose  walls  rise  almost 
perpendicularly  on  either  side,  their  height  and  proximity  nearly  shutting 
out  the  light  of  day.  After  a few  miles  of  bewildering  turnings  in  this  laby- 
rinthian  passage,  the  walls  seem  to  widen  and  a beautiful  valley  is  disclosed, 
and  the  train  shortly  stops  at  the  pretty  mountain  town  of  Idaho  Springs, 
nestled  between  the  silver-seamed  mountains,  rising  on  either  side. 

The  little  park  in  which  the  town  is  situated  is  about  two  miles  long  east 
and  west,  and  scarcely  half  a mile  wide,  the  land  gently  sloping  southward. 
The  streets  are  broad  and  clean,  thickly  shaded  with  rows  of  trees  which 
are  irrigated  by  streams  of  pure  water.  There  are  a few  large  buildings 
in  Idaho,  but  for  the  most  part  the  houses  are  small,  unique  of  style,  and 
very  pleasing  in  appearance.  It  has  two  first-class  hotels,  two  restaurants, 
and  a number  of  small  hotels  and  boarding  houses.  All  these,  together  with 
numerous  private  residences,  serve  to  entertain  transient  visitors  and  those 
who  remain  at  the  Springs  for  treatment. 

The  altitude  of  the  town  is  7,543  feet.  In  its  situation  and  surroundings 
Idaho  Springs  has  many  peculiarities  of  climate  which  are  agreeable  to  the 
healthy  and  become  the  chief  reason  of  its  beneficial  effect  upon  the  con- 
sumptive and  asthmatic.  It  is  so  protected  by  the  great  hills  by  which  it  is 
immediately  surrounded  that  its  climate  is  mild  both  winter  and  summer, 
sheltered,  as  it  is  from  the  severer  winds  in  winter,  and  perpetually  fanned 
by  the  gentle  mountain  breezes  in  summer.  Add  to  this  the  fact  that  it  has 
the  advantage  of. sunshine  all  day  long,  both  summer  and  winter,  and  it  is 
seen  that  with  this  equability  of  temperature  there  must  be  great  purity  of 
the  atmosphere.  Its  altitude  places  it  above  the  stifling  heats  of  the  lower 
levels  and  below  the  line  of  early  snows  and  chilling  winds.  At  the  north 
i side  of  the  town  Bellevue  Mountain,  against  whose  very  base  many  of  the 
houses  are  constructed,  rises  high  and  abruptly,  protecting  it  from  the  icy 
winds  of  winter,  while  to  the  south  the  mountains  slope  gently  backward, 
allowing  the  rich  warm  sunshine  full  sweep  of  the  little  valley.  During  the 
summer  months  there  are  light  rains,  but  only  sufficient  to  freshen  the  air 
and  lay  the  dust.  In  winter  snows  are  seldom,  and  so  light,  that  they  do 
not  accumulate  sufficiently  or  remain  long  enough  for  sleighing. 

The  summer  nights  are  always  so  cool  that  blankets  and  quilts  are  never 
removed  from  the  beds.  The  spring  season  is  less  diagreeable  than  else- 
where in  the  State. 


100 


COLORADO. 


The  autumn  is  the  most  delightful  time  of  all,  and  it  is  autumn  from 
October  to  the  middle  of  January.  Of  all  times,  it  is  the  most  desirable  to 
linger  about  Idaho  Springs  and  drink  in,  not  only  the  healing  waters,  but 
the  delicious,  invigorating-  atmosphere.  The  skies  are  a broad  expanse  of 
clearest  blue,  flecked  at  times  with  floating  clouds,  whose  varying  tints  and 
shapes  the  lover  of  nature  never  wearies  in  watching,  and  through  the  misty 
haze  which  lingers  on  the  mountain  slopes  the  thousand  hues  of  the  frosted 
foliage  adorn  the  landscape  at  every  hand.  These  are  the  days  to  climb  to 
the  mountain  tops,  and  numerous  and  easy  are  the  mountain  roads  leading 
from  Idaho  Springs.  Only  twenty-five  miles  from  the  plains,  there  is  a 
vast  difference  in  the  temperature  during  the  winter  months.  Here  is  one 
fact  which  alone  is  sufficient  illustration  of  the  mildness  of  winter  weather 
in  places  protected,  as  Idaho  Springs  is,  by  the  mountains.  Frequently 
when  the  mercury  registers  vezo  and  below  on  the  plains,  it  registers  45°  to 
50°  above  at  Idaho  Springs.  This  is  a remarkable  statement,  but  it  is 
vouched  for  by  the  most  reliable  citizens  of  the  place,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
records. 

These  and  many  more  are  the  reasons  why  Idaho  Springs  is  one  of  the 
best  resorts  in  the  world  for  people  afflicted  with  lung  disease.  There  is  one 
notable  instance  of  the  superior  climatic  influences  at  that  particular  place. 
Seven  years  ago  Dr.  P.  Brumund,  late  a resident  physician  at  Idaho  Springs, 
came  to  Denver  with  consumption,  a physical  wreck  so  Complete  that  he 
found  he  could  live  but  a short  time  in  the  latter  city.  After  a few  weeks, 
being  compelled  to  leave  or  soon  end  his  career,  he  went  to  Idaho  Springs. 
After  a residence  of  a short  time  he  had  recovered  sufficiently  to  become 
actively  engaged  in  his  profession.  In  this  connection.  Dr.  Brumund  is 
authority  for  the  statement  that  numerous  cases  of  a similar  character  are 
constantly  occurring,  and  he  gives  in  part  the  reasons  assigned  above,  with 
some  degree  of  the  credit  due  to  the  general  curative  nature  of  the  waters. 
The  extraordinary  virtues  of  the  waters  in  the  treatment  of  consumption 
are  vouched  for  by  every  reputable  physician  in  the  State,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  thousands  of  men  and  women  who  have  drank  and  bathed  in  them, 
and  after  a short  time  gone  away  greatly  relieved  or  entirely  healed.  As 
before  stated,  the  waters,  apart  from  all  climatic  effects,  have  their  peculiar 
efficacy  in  the  treatment  of  victims  to  rheumatism,  liver,  kidney  or  skin 
diseases,  asthma,  incipient  consumption,  malarial  poisoning  and  nervous 
prostration  from  overwork.  Dr.  Brumund  died  in  1889. 

The  springs  and  baths  are  located  close  together,  only  a few  rods  apart, 
a five-minutes’  walk  from  the  leading  hotels  and  within  easy  reach  from 
all  parts  of  the  city.  These  springs  are  both  hot  and  cold,  springing  from 
the  base  of  Santa  Fe  Mountain,  only  a few  yards  apart.  Close  by  the 
springs  a swimming  pool  and  a bath  house,  furnished  with  all  needful 
conveniences,  are  built.  These  places  become  the  resort  of  both  sexes,  singly 
or  in  pairs,  or  in  mixed  parties,  bathing  suits  and  all  the  paraphernalia  of  a 
watering  place  being  furnished  by  the  manager  of  the  baths. 

The  hot  mineral  springs  furnish  an  unlimited  supply  of  clearest  water, 
varying  in  temperature  from  85°  to  120°  Fahrenheit,  and  abundantly  supply 
the  large  pools  and  the  baths.  The  private  baths  are  so  arranged  that  one 
may  take  either  a douche,  tub,  shower  or  sitz  bath  as  desired,  tempering  the 
water  to  suit  himself. 

But  the  greatest  feature  of  all  about  these  springs  is  the  hot  cavern,  or 
natural  Russian  bath,  or  Turkish  bath,  if  the  name  is  preferred.  But  it  still 
deserves  a higher  name.  No  artificial  bath  on  earth  can  be  compared  in  its 
benefits  to  these  natural  hot  mineral  water  baths.  The  simple  nature  of 
their  construction  excites  the  wonder  of  all  visitors.  Following  the  lead 
of  one  of  these  hot  springs,  a tunnel  was  cut  a few  feet  into  the  side  of  the 
mountain  at  its  very  base,  and  here  a large  pool  was  found — a natural  reser- 
voir— treasuring  an  exhaustless  supply  of  hot  medicated  water  for  the 


COLORADO. 


101 


afflicted  of  eartli.  To  utilize  this  pool  was  an  easy  matter.  A small  ante- 
room for  the  bather  was  constructed  at  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel.  At  the 
far  side  of  the  room  a door  was  made  leading  into  the  tunnel.  The  ante-room 
serves  both  for  toilet  and  the  first  stage  of  heat,  as  a preparation  for  the 
bath.  The  bather  opens  the  door  and  closes  it  again  as  he  enters  the  tunnel, 
and  instantly  he  is  enveloped  in  the  vapory  warmth  which  rises  from  the 
flowing  stream  or  hot  mineral  water,  and  at  the  farther  end  of  the  tunnel 
is  the  pool  of  hot  water  where  the  bather  may  revel  to  his  heart's  content. 
It  has  all  the  benefits  of  a Turkish  bath,  with  the  additional  virtue  of  the 
mineral  ingredients.  The  bath  is  both  excellent  and  effective,  the  steamy 
vapor  causing  the  perspiration  to  pour  forth  in  a torrent,  cleansing  the  opened 
pores  and  carrying  away  the  poisonous  elements  of  the  blood  and  skin.  These 
baths  are  especially  efficacious  in  the  treatment  of  chronic  rheumatism,  in- 
flammatory rheumatism,  enlarged  and  stiffened  joints  and  other  kindred 
ailments,  kidney  derangements,  etc.  Especially  in  inflammatory  rheumatism 
these  baths  have  worked  remarkable  cures.  Two  baths  have  relieved  the 
pain,  and  entire  recoveries  have  been  made  in  a remarkably  short  time. 

A chemical' analysis  shows  these  waters  to  contain  mineral  ingredients 
similar  to  the  celebrated  Carlsbad  Springs,  Germany,  and  the  following, 
by  Prof.  Pohel,  is  accepted  as  correct  as  far  as  investigation  has  been  made: 

THE  PROPORTIONS  TO  EACH  GALLON. 


Carbonate  of  soda 30.80 

Carbonate  of  lime 9.52 

Carbonate  of  magnesia 2.88 

Carbonate  of  iron 4.12 

Sulphate  of  soda 29.36 

Sulphate  of  magnesia 18.72 

Sulphate  of  lime 3.44 

Chloride  of  sodium 4.16 

Chlorides  of  calcium  and  magnesium,  of  each  a trace 

Silicate  of  soda 4.0*1 


Grains  107.00 


During  the  past  year  the  number  of  visitors  who  have  sought  relief  at 
Idaho  Springs  has  increased  30  per  cent.,  and  as  extensive  and  very  im- 
portant improvements  are  contemplated  in  view  of  its  growing  popularity,  of 
the  many  remarkable  cures  that  it  has  made,  and  the  fact  of  its  nature 
as  a health  resort,  it  will  attract  people  at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

There  are  numerous  places  of  attraction  in  the  mountains  surrounding 
Idaho  Springs,  and  all  of  them,  including  some  of  the  highest  peaks,  are 
reached  by  easy  wagon  roads  or  trails.  One  of  the  favorite  excursions  is 
to  the  summit  of  Flirtation  Peak,  from  which  a long  stretch  of  the  Snowy 
Range  and  a large  number  of  the  loftiest  peaks  can  be  seen  at  one  view. 
The  Chicago  Lakes,  which  have  been  rendered  famous  by  Bierstadt’s  ex- 
cellent painting,  “A  Storm  in  the  Rockies,”  is  a favorite  resort,  and  is 
reached  by  a easy  carriage  road,  which  gives  the  tourist  a wonderfully 
picturesque  ride  among  the  dizzy  heights. 

Other  favorite  places  to  be  visited  are  Fall  River,  Bellevue  Mountain  and 
its  gold-producing  district,  the  trout-fishing  grounds  on  Bear  Creek,  and 
the  numerous  gold  and  silver  mines  which  surround  the  town.  Wagon  roads 
also  lead  from  Idaho  Springs  to  Empire,  Central  City,  up  Cascade  and  Ute 
creeks  to  Georgetown,  up  Virginia  Canon,  up  Spyirrel  Gulch  to  the  Ute 
Chief,  12,000  feet  above  the  sea.  while  all  around  Idaho  Springs  there  are 
many  of  the  finest  drives  in  the  State. 


102 


COLORADO. 


For  the  benefit  of  those  abroad  who  have  an  indefinite  idea  of  mountain 
resorts  in  Colorado  it  may  be  of  service  to  state  that  good  accommodations 
can  be  had  at  Idaho  Springs  at  prices  ranging  from  $7  to  $14  per  week. 


COTTONWOOD  AND  HEYWOOD  SPRINGS. 

At  distances  respectively  of  five  and  nine  miles  from  Buena  Vista.  The 
waters  of  both  are  medicinal,  possessing  valuable  mineral  properties  and 
curative  powers,  especially  in  rheumatism,  erysipelas  and  general  debility, 
and  are  very  highly  valued  by  all  who  visit  them.  Analyses  of  these  waters 
show  that  they  contain  the  carbonates  of  soda,  magnesia,  lithia  and  lime, 
iodine,  sulphate  of  soda,  bromide,  chloride  of  sodium  and  silica.  At  both, 
places  there  are  several  copious  springs, 'the  waters  of  which  are  thermal, 
and  show  an  average  temperature  of  130°  Fahrenheit.  A new  hotel  and  new 
plunge  and  tub  baths  have  been  contracted  at  Cottonwood  Springs,  and 
accommodations  and  baths  are  likewise  provided  at  Heywood.  The  ride 
to  Buena  Vista  eu  route  to  these  Springs  is  one  which  fairly  entrances 
the  tourist  by  the  grand  and  ever-changing  variety  of  scenery.  The  scenery 
of  the  valley  in  which  the  springs  are  situated  is  of  great  loveliness.  Cot- 
towood  creek,  near  by,  contains  fine  trout,  and  the  woods  abound  in  game. 
Such  attractions,  besides  the  well-known  curative  virtues  of  the  waters, 
have  rendered  Cottonwood  and  Heywood  favorite  places  of  resort,  and  large 
numbers  of  people  find  their  way  there  every  summer. 

Cottonwood  Springs  possesses  many  rare  advantages  of  surrounding  at- 
tractions. It  is  situated  near  the  base  of  the  great  Saguache  Range.  Di- 
rectly opposite  is  Mt.  Yhile,  with  an  elevation  of  14,187  feet;  Mt.  Princeton, 
14,199  feet,  and  Mt.  Shavano,  of  nearly  equal  height,  all  grouped  together 
like  three  mighty  giants,  Whose  heads  reach  into  the  clouds.  Here  is  one  of 
the  finest  views  in  Colorado,  and  it  is  their  nearness  to  the  Arkansas  Valley, 
and  the  splendid  view  which  they  present  to  the  beholder  from  any  point 
within  a radius  of  ten  miles  or  more  from  Cottonwood  Springs,  that  first 
suggested  the  name  of  Buena  Vista. 

Cottonwood  Lake,  one  of  the  lovely  little  mountain  reservoirs,  is  situated 
six  miles  west  of  the  Springs,  a convenient  drive  from  the  Springs.  It  is 
filled  with  the  finest  of  trout,  and  becomes  a favorite  resort  of  those  who 
are  fond  of  sport  with  the  rod  and  line.  In  many  other  respects  the  charms 
of  the  country  and  the  conveniences  of  the  place  render  Cottonwood  Springs 
one  of  the  pleasantest  places  of  resort  in  the  State. 


MORRISON  SPRINGS. 

These  Springs  are  situated  near  the  town  of  Morrison.  The  town  itself 
with  its  many  advantages  as  a pleasure  resort  for  people  within  easy 
reach,  or  for  a tourist's  trip,  is  probably  better  known  than  the  fact  that 
it  possesses  five  mineral  springs,  the  analysis  of  which  shows  their  value 
as  a curative  agent.  No  quantative  analysis  of  the  water  has  been  made, 
but  by  the  best  local  physicians  they  are  said  to  be  beneficial  in  dyspepsia 
and  in  the  treatment  of  other  functions  dependent  upon  the  digestive  organs. 
The  ingredients  thus  far  discovered  are  soda,  sulphur  and  iron. 

But  aside  from  these  springs,  Morrison  is  a place  of  rare  attraction  be- 
cause of  its  wonderful  surroundings,  and  in  all  seasons  is  visited  daily  by 
tourists,  excursion  parties  and  picnickers,  who  find  more  curiosities  in  and 
around  Morrison  than  they  can  see  in  a day  or  a week.  Up  Bear  Canon  is 
one  of  the  favorite  drives  of  Colorado,  and  upon  the  several  beautiful  drives 
leading  from  Morrison  and  near  the  town  are  Soda  Lake,  Turkey  Creek 


COLORADO. 


103 


Canon  and  the  Garden  of  the  Angels,  all  pretty  resorts,  situated  amid  grand 
and  beautiful  scenery,  each  affording  delights  sufficient  for  one  day  of  an 
outing,  while  all  the  streams  around  about  are  plentifully  supplied  with 
choicest  fish. 

Morrison  is  only  twenty  miles  from  Denver,  a pleasant  ride  of  one  hour. 
The  train,  returning  late  in  the  evening,  gives  the  visitor  practically  a day 
to  visit  these  curiosities  or  to  employ  for  himself  in  whatever  manner  he 
prefers.  But  should  he  choose  to  remain  for  more  than  a day.  as  many  do, 
there  are  two  excellent  hotels  and  other  smaller  places  of  entertainment 
that  have  been  established  especially  for  the  accommodation  of  visitors. 
Morrison  is  a permanent  health  and  pleasure  resort.  It  is  older  and  better 
known  than  any  resort  in  the  State,  and  is  visited  by  a greater  number  of 
people  within  the  year  than  any  watering  place  in  Colorado. 


HUNTING  AND  FISHING. 

Rich  as  Colorado  is  in  mineral  and  agricultural  resources,  in  glorious 
scenery  and  a marvelous  climate,  she  also  possesses  some  of  the  finest  fish- 
ing and  hunting  grounds  on  earth,  the  dense  forest  being  the  natural  covert 
for  elk,  deer,  and  other  game;  its  myriads  of  streams  teeming  with  mountain 
trout;  its  lakes,  whilst  also  full  of  attractions  for  the  angler,  being  the 
haunt  for  millions  of  geese,  ducks  and  other  wild  fowl. 

Taking  the  railway  to  Georgetown,  thence  by  wagon  or  on  horseback 
over  into  the  Middle  Park,  a hunter’s  paradise  is  entered.  Within  the 
boundaries  of  this  beautiful  spot  are  found  elk,  deer  and  other  game  in 
abundance,  streams  teeming  with  trout,  and  lakes  covered  with  wild  fowl, 
and  the  woody  and  hilly  slopes  filled  with  mountain  grouse  and  quail. 
Nearly  every  railroad  and  trail  in  the  State  leads  to  hunting  grounds  which 
have  no  superior  in  the  country  in  the  variety  and  quantity  of  game. 

From  Greeley  to  Fort  Collins  are  numerous  small  lakes,  which  are  the 
haunts  for  an  incredible  number  of  wild  fowl. 

In  the  western  part  of  the  State  are  numerous  wooded  parks  filled  with 
the  larger  game.  This  is  especially  the  case  in  Routt.  Grand  and  Garfield 
counties.  In  this  favored  region  elk,  deer,  antelope,  rabbits,  prairie  chickens, 
ducks  and  geese  are  found  in  numbers  exceeding  that  of  any  other  section, 
perhaps,  in  the  country.  The  same  is  true  of  almost  every  other  county 
in  the  State  where  civilization  has  not  driven  out  these  native  inhabitants 
of  this  ideal  hunters’  ground.  At  a period  within  the  memory  of  many  still 
living,  buffalo  in  countless  numbers  fed  upon  the  Colorado  prairies  and  on 
the  sweet  bunches  of  grass  that  have  taken  their  name;  but  alas!  man’s 
greed  and  cupidity  have  practically  exterminated  these  noble  rnonarehs  of 
the  plains,  leaving  only  as  a reminiscence  two  or  three  scattered  bands,  each 
numbering  less  than  a score,  in  different  portions  of  the  State,  which  are 
protected  by  laws  which  should  have  been  enacted  many  years  before. 
These  bands  are  in  the  South  Park,  in  the  upper  portion  of  Routt  county, 
and  on  the  eastern  border  of  the  State,  near  Cheyenne  Wells,  and  their 
number  would  perhaps  not  aggregate  seventy-five,  all  told. 

As  an  evidence  that  the  peculiar  game  wealth  of  the  State  is  appreciated 
by  its  sportsmen,  gun  clubs  composed  of  its  best  citizens  are  found  in  differ- 
ent localities.  Among  the  most  prominent  of  thees  are  the  American  Field 
club  of  Pueblo:  El  Paso  club,  of  Colorado  Springs:  Boulder  club,  of 
Boulder;  Longmont  Sporting  club,  of  Longmont;  the  Harmony.  Standart, 
Ivennieott,  Lakeside  and  Calfox  clubs,  and  many  others.  Bowles’  Lake, 
near  Littleton,  managed  by  the  Standart  Shooting  club,  is  one  of  the  finest 
in  America  for  the  number  and  variety  of  its  wild  fowl.  These  clubs  all 


104 


COLORADO. 


take  upon  themselves  the  self-imposed  task  of  enforcing  the  wise  game 
laws  of  Colorado,  which  are  designed  to  prevent  the  indiscriminate  slaughter 
of  wild  fowl  and  the  larger  game  for  mere  purposes  of  pecuniary  profit, 
thus  preserving  the  attractions  of  the  noble  sport  for  the  true  sportsmen. 
Any  lovers  of  humanity,  especially  strangers  in  the  State,  are,  when 
properly  accredited  as  gentlemen,  heartily  welcomed  by  these  shooting  clubs 
to  the  enjoyment  of  their  hospitalities,  including  every  possible  facility  pos- 
sessed by  them  for  the  hunting  of  game  of  every  description. 

In  the  matter  of  fishing,  perhaps  every  mountain  stream  and  every  lake 
in  the  State  offers  greater  inducements  to  the  angler  than  can  be  found 
elsewhere,  and  since  the  passage  of  the  new  game  law,  which,  while  it  does 
not  restrict  the  sport  to  certain  seasons,  does  absolutely  prohibit  the  catch- 
ing of  fish  for  the  market,  and  the  well-directed  efforts  of  the  State,  through 
its  fish  commissioner  and  the  individual  enterprise  and  efforts  of  its  citizens 
towards  re-stocking  the  streams,  some  of  which  had  formerly  been  nearly 
depleated,  there  is  now  scarcely  any  brook,  creek,  river  or  lake  in  the 
State  where  the  angler  will  not  be  amply  repaid  for  his  time  and  trouble. 
Within  the  past  year  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  Company  alone  have 
stocked  the  South  Platte  with  100,000  trout. 

From  the  great  interest  in  hunting  which  is  being  developed  in  Colorado 
naturally  comes  the  demand  for  good  hunting  dogs,  and  the  State  boasts 
today  of  some  of  the  most  valuable  specimens  of  spaniels,  setters,  retrievers, 
greyhounds  and  coursing  dogs  to  be  found  anywhere. 

Naturally,  the  first  question  that  would  arise  in  the  minds  of  parties  in- 
tending the  fish  or  hunt  in  Colorado  would  be,  “What  kind  of  an  outfit  shall 
I obtain?”  The  best  answer  to  this  would  be  to  wait  until  you  get  there 
and  ascertain  the  peculiar  conditions  and  requirements  of  the  country,  and 
save  yourself  much  unnecessary  annoyance,  trouble  and  expense.  In  Den- 
ver there  are  a number  of  establishments  which  make  a specialty  of  hunting 
outfits,  adapted  especially  to  the  locations  in  which  they  are  to  be  employed, 
and  the  proprietors  themselves  are  enthusiastic  lovers  of  sport,  and  have  a 
perfect  knowledge  of  what  is  required.  Of  course,  the  usual  requisites  of 
rifles,  guns,  rods,  lines,  flies,  etc.,  are  needed  there  as  elsewhere,  but  the 
Eastern  man  frequently  finds  that  he  has  wasted  much  pains  and  money 
for  appliances  not  suited  to  that  section,  and  the  best  plan  would  be  to 
procure  the  outfit  there  at  as  reasonable  figures  as  the  same  could  be  pro- 
cured for  in  New  York  or  elsewhere  in  the  East. 

The  grand  old  forests  of  the  Southwest,  the  dense  wilderness  of  the 
Center  and  West,  the  rocky  defiles  of  the. vast  mountain  chains,  the  lim- 
itless plains  with  their  wealth  of  grasses,  the  vast  parks  with  their  diver- 
sified surfaces  of  hill  and  plain,  the  cool  and  rippling  mountain  streams  as 
they  murmur  over  their  rocky  beds,  the  beautiful  lakes  of  crystal  with 
which  the  State  is  so  bountifully  spread,  like  jewels  in  one  of  nature’s  most 
beautiful  caskets,  all  invite  the  true  hunter  and  fisherman  to  their  cool 
and  pleasant  retreats,  from  the  hurly  burly  of  the  busy  world  to  the  rational 
and  delightful  sports  which  are  here  so  bountifully  supplied  by  the  lavish 
hand  of  Nature. 

THE  MOUNTAIN  LAKES. 

In  raising  up  the  great  mountains  of  Colorado,  Nature  provided  with  a 
lavish  and  artistic  hand  for  the  necessities  and  pleasures  of  man.  In  the 
midst  of  their  most  rugged  configurations  are  to  be  found  some  of  the  most 
charming  and  restful  spots.  Away  up  between  the  sunny  peaks  are  nestled 
many  little  fairy  lakes,  whose  crystal  waters  reflect  the  blue  sky  and  the 
misty  veil  that  hangs  suspended  from  the  summits  above.  In  traveling 
through  the  mountains  where  these  beautiful  lakes  abound,  a recent 
European  tourist  was  heard  to  exclaim:  “I  have  seen  nothing  in  the  Alps- 

or  the  mountain  regions  of  the  old  world  to  compare  with  it.”  As  if  with 


COLORADO. 


105 


a view  to  the  requirements  of  the  coming  time,  Nature  has  made  these 
high-wailed  basins  into  reservoirs  which  are  filled  and  continually  replen- 
ished by  the  melting  of  the  eternal  banks  of  snow.  These  natural  basins, 
filled  with  the  crystal  liquids,  are  of  various  dimensions — never  of  great  size. 
Their  waters  overflowing  help  to  form  thousands  of  mountain  streams, 
with  their  tiny  cascades  falling  at  times  over  precipices  hundreds  of  feet  in 
height,  and  whirling  and  eddying  with  a murmuring  song  through  rocks 
and  canons  until,  combining  at  points  remote  from  their  source,  they  form 
the  rivers  which  are  the  life  and  being  of  the  otherwise  arid  parks  and 
plains  below. 

* GREEN  LAKE. — One  of  the  most  remarkable  and  beautiful  of  the  natural 
reservoirs  is  Green  Lake,  some  two  miles  from  Georgetown,  and  2,000  feet  above 
it.  Tins  sheet  of  crystal  is  locked  in  a basin  almost  at  the  mountain  top,  and 
its  waters,  of  a bright  emerald  hue,  from  the  reflection  of  the  dense  mass 
of  pines  surrounding  it  on  every  side,  and  other  natural  causes,  are  yet 
so  transparent  that  almost  every  object  beneath  its  surface  is  as  plainly 
visible  as  though  there  was  not  the  clear  fluid  intervening,  and  myriads  of 
trout,  some  of  them  of  considerable  size,  can  be  seen  disporting  in  the 
branches  of  the  sunken  forest  beneath,  and  a person  riding  in  one  of 
the  many  boats  with  which  the  lake  is  provided,  seems  suspended  in  mid-air, 
the  transparent  water  beneath  him  seeming  too  ethereal  to  support  the 
tiny  craft  and  its  burden.  Seen  at  early  morning  or  in  the  afternoon,  when 
the  images  of  the  surrounding  hills  and  trees  are  mirrored  on  its  bosom, 
Green  Lake  is  like  a beautiful  dream  to  the  observer,  whose  impressions 
remain  for  many  a day. 

It  is  a favorite  pastime  for  tourists  and  health-seekers  who  are  sojourn- 
ing in  Georgetown,  or  should  they  remain  there  but  a day,  to  visit  this  lake, 
and  while  away  many  hours  in  this  charming  retreat.  It  is  reached  by  a 
smooth  wagon  road,  which,  by  easy  grade,  winds  along  the  mountain  side  to 
the  summit,  from  which  there  is  a splendid  view  of  Georgetown  and  the 
valley  below.  The  visitor  may  choose  his  own  conveyance,  whether  by 
horseback  or  vehicle,  while  many  prefer  a leisurely  walk  to  the  lake,  thus 
having  the  benefit  of  the  exercise  and  a closer  observation  of  the  many  en- 
trancing scenes.  It  is  a favorite  resort  of  the  people  of  Denver  and  other 
Colorado  cities,  who  go  there  for  a day  in  the  mountains.  A good  hotel  is 
provided  at  the  lake  for  visitors,  with  accommodations  to  suit,  at  moderate 
charges.  For  pleasure  parties,  boating  and  fishing  are  the  favorite  pastimes, 
and  ample  provisions  are  made  for  such  amusements. 

CLEAR  LAKE. — A half  mile  distant  from  Green  Lake,  the  very  opposite 
of  its  emerald-hued  neighbor,  inasmuch  as  it  is  colorless  and  translucent, 
being  constantly  fed  from  the  pure  melting  of  the  snows  above.  From 
this  lake  the  magnificent  water  supply  of  Georgetown,  2,000  feet  below,  is 
derived.  Similar  in  many  respects  to  Green  Lake,  it  is  stocked  with  Cali- 
fornia salmon,  many  of  which  weight  from  seven  to  eight  pounds. 

ELK  LAKE. — Still  higher  up,  and  at  the  edge  of  the  timber  line,  six  miles 
distant  from  Green  Lake,  is  Elk  Lake.  Its  sandy  shores  mingle  with  the 
perpetual  snow  at  the  brink.  Its  banks  are  lined  with  small,  scattering 
timber  and  evergreens,  and  it  becomes  a novelty  to  the  tourist  that  one  can 
stand  at  the  water’s  edge  and  gather  flowers  from  the  banks  of  snow.  From 
this  point  a grand,  view  of  surrounding  peaks  is  obtained,  while  deer,  elk 
and  smaller  game  can  be  found  in  the  vicinity. 

“GEM  OF  THE  CORDILLERES.” — Still  further  on,  and  higher  and 
higher  in  the  ascent  toward  the  summit  of  the  Range,  is  another  little  body  of 
water,  called  the  “Gem  of  the  Cordilleres.”  This  lake  is  above  the  timber  line, 
is  clear  and  cold,  and  half  the  size  of  Green  Lake.  It  probably  derives  its 
name  because  of  its  eminent  and  isolated  position;  appearing  as  a single 
crystal  set  as  a jewel  in  this  upper  chain  of  rocky  hills. 


106 


COLORADO. 


TWIN  LAKES. — Probably  in  no  portion  of  the  globe  is  the  dream  of  the 
poet  or  the  ideal  of  the  artist  more  nearly  realized  than  in  the  beauties  of  Twin 
Lakes,  located  some  seventeen  miles  from  Leadville.  A pleasant  ride  on  a good 
road  alongthe  dashing  Arkansas,  which  here,  at  only  a few  miles  from  its  source, 
is  yet  only  an  incipient  river,  with  some  widings  and  constantly  changing 
scenery,  framed  on  either  side  by  ranges  of  majestic  mountains,  bring  the 
tourist  on  an  elevated  woody  knoll,  through  the  forest  depth  of  which  the 
road  winds,  at  every  turn  revealing  new  beauties,  but  giving  no  warning 
of  the  glorious  revelation  so  soon  to  dawn  upon  the  dazzled  vision  of  the 
voyageur. 

After  climbing  an  easy  but  somewhat  tortuous  grade,  shaded  throughout 
with  the  most  luxurious  pine  growth,  a sudden  bend  in  the  road  brings 
one  to  a small  open  space,  from  which  he  gazes  down  upon  a scene  which 
makes  him  deplore  the  poverty  of  language  to  describe.  Spread  out  before 
him,  like  a panorama  of  celestial  loveliness,  are  two  sheets  of  water  of  ex- 
quisite beauty,  separated  by  a tiny  isthmus,  which  at  this  distance  barely 
serves  to  mark  the  dividing  line,  but  which  nevertheless  is  wide  enough 
to  furnish  ample  room  for  two  hotels  and  a carriage  drive  throughout  its 
length,  which  in  fact  extends  for  a considerable  distance  around  the  circum- 
ference of  the  lakes.  The  waters  of  these  beautiful  sheets  cover  an  ax-ea  of 
about  4,000  acres,  the  larger  being  two  and  one-half  miles  long  and  a mile 
and  a half  wide,  and  the  smaller  or  upper  one  about  one-half  that  size. 
They  are  clear  as  crystal,  and  abound  in  trout,  and  on  each  are  numbers  of 
small  boats,  both  for  rowing  and  sailing.  Twin  Lakes  naturally  have  a 
peculiar  fascination  for  the  fortunate  few  who  know  by  experience  of  their 
attractions  as  a summer  resort,  many  availing  themselves  of  the  fine  hotel 
accommodations,  or  of  the  numerous  romantic  nooks  in  the  neighborhood 
for  camping  out.  Around  the  lakes  are  delightful  grounds  for  campers  and 
picnic  parties,  while  just  at  their  head  Mount  Elbert,  one  of  the  noblest 
peaks  of  the  Rockies,  rises  to  an  elevation  of  14,360  feet  above  the  sea.  To 
the  south,  and  opposite  Mount  Elbert,  are  the  Twin  Peaks  and  the  Grizzly, 
which  rise  in  their  overshadowing  majesty  in  colors  of  green  and  gray  and 
gold.  Here  game  of  all  kinds  abound,  and  all  the  facilities  for  hunting  and 
fishing  are  provided  by  the  residents,  who  can  boast  of  a pretty  little  town, 
comprised  of  hotels,  restaurants,  cottages,  and  stores  of  general  merchandise, 
having  everything  needful  for  the  camper,  the  tourist  and  the  health- 
seeking invalid. 

EVERGREN  LAKES. — Leadville  is  fortunate  in  the  matter  oflakesinits 
vicinity,  as  a drive  of  six  miles  over  a magnificent  boulevard  brings  the  pleasure 
seeker  to  the  Evergreen  Lakes,  a chain  of  five  romantically  located  little  basins 
near  the  foot  of  Mount  Massive,  whose  gigantic  shadow  is  mirrored  in  the 
clear  and  placid  surface  of  the  upper  or  principal  lake  with  all  the  faithful 
vividness  of  nature.  A number  of  tiny  boats  are  provided  for  rowing  and 
sailing,  a good  hotel  provides  every  convenience  for  the  excursionist  or 
traveler,  from  whose  elevated  porches  are  visible  the  glorious  Tennessee 
Park  for  miles  in  either  direction,  the  Arkansas  winding  like  a silver  thread 
through  the  center  of  the  valley,  and  the  whole  gorgeous  scene  framed  in 
by  the  Sangre  de  Cristo  and  Mosquito  Ranges,  giving  a combination  of 
mountain  and  valley,  rocks,  trees  and  water  not  often  seen  in  such  lavish- 
ness of  nature  at  one  view. 

CHICAGO  LAKES. — There  are  two  splendid  lakes  at  the  foot  of  Mt. 
Evans,  high  up  in  the  mountains,  the  larger  one  being  eight  miles  and  the 
smaller  eleven  miles  from  Idaho  Springs;  Idaho  Springs  being  the  outfitting 
and  starting  point  for  tourists.  From  these  lakes  a grand  view  of  mountain 
scenery  is  obtained,  Mt.  Evans,  in  the  midst  of  numerous  peaks,  rising  to  a 
height  of  11,000  feet  above  the  sea.  The  lakes  abound  in  fish,  and  rowing 
and  fishing  becomes  the  chief  pastime  of  the  tourist,  aside  from  the  luxuries 


COLORADO. 


107 


and  the  novelties  of  the  situation  and  its  surroundings.  This  is  a conve- 
nient and  favorite  resort  of  Colorado  people,  who  prefer  to  make  Only  brief 
trips  to  the  mountains.  It  is  one  of  the  attractions  that  should  not  be 
missed  by  the  tourist,  who  will  find  all  the  facilities  required  for  the  short 
and  easy  ascent  from  Idaho  Springs,  and  also  ample  provisions  for  his  enter- 
tainment at  the  lakes.  The  smaller  of  the  Chicago  Lakes  lies  higher  up  in 
the  mountains,  amid  the  perpetual  snows,  and  its  chief  interest  is  the  fact 
that  is  surface  is  frozen  over  nearly  all  the  year  round. 

COTTONWOOD  LAKE. — Six  miles  w^est  of  Cottonwood  Springs, 
Chaffee  county,  and  twelve  miles  from  Buena  Vista,  is  Cottonwood  Lake, 
a beautiful  little  sheet  of  water,  which  becomes  one  of  the  resorts  and  fishing 
points  from  the  Springs.  It  swarms  with  trout  of  the  finest  kind,  and  in 
the  season  for  wild  mountain  fruits,  the  hillsides  are  covered  with  straw- 
berries, raspberries  and  currants. 

THE  GREAT  PARKS  OP  COLORADO. 

The  four  great  natural  parks  of  Colorado  bear  an  important  relation  to 
the  State  in  all  her  diversified  interests.  They  constitute  one  of  her  chief 
glories.  They  are  not,  as  many  suppose,  small  areas  of  level  ground  closely 
hemmed  in  by  neighboring  hills,  and  beautiful  with  evergreens  and  flowers 
and  meandering  brooks;  but  they  are  vast  territories  of  country,  large 
enough  for  a principality,  larger  than  two  or  three  counties  of  many  States, 
and  almost  as  large  as  some  of  the  States  themselves.  They  contain  fields 
and  forests,  and  great  stretches  of  arid  plains,  where  the  herds  of  the  cattle- 
men have  succeeded  the  herds  of  buffalo;  they  are  watered  by  creeks  and 
rivers,  and  contain  villages  and  farm-houses:  they  have  springs  and  lakes, 
where  hotels  and  other  places  of  entertainment  have  been  built  for  settlers, 
for  tourists,  hunters,  campers  and  others  seeking  remote  places  of  resort  in 
the  heart  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  These  prominent  sections  are  the  North 
Park,  Middle  Park,  Estes  Park  and  South  Park.  All  these  are  reached  by 
the  various  lines  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railway  in  Colorado. 

NORTH  PARK  is  situated  in  the  extreme  northern  portion  of  the  State, 
and  occupies  a portion  each  of  Routt  and  Larimer  counties.  It  has  many  nat- 
ural advantages,  embracing  among  them  about  three  hundred  square  miles 
of  the  finest  grazing  lands  in  the  world.  It  is  therefore  a producer  of  sheep 
and  cattle  for  the  most  part,  while  in  agriculture  its  crops  are  principally  the 
grasses  and  potatoes.  The  most  feasible  route  into  North  Park  is  by  the 
Colorado  and  Southern  Railway,  via  Fort  Collins,  in  Larimer  county.  The 
alternative  of  a route  that  is  feasible  at  all  into  North  Park,  except  by  the 
burro,  can  be  best  appreciated  when  it  is  stated  that  upon  the  east  and  north 
it  is  bounded  by  the  stupendous  main  range  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  which 
is  so  high,  so  steep  and  rugged  and  so  unbroken,  even  by  the  usual  canon 
or  chasm,  that  the  park  is  literally  imprisoned  within  a great  wall  of  rock, 
with  only  a trail  or  difficult  road  at  long  intervals  as  a means  of  entrance 
or  exit.  The  passage  which  is  made  via  Fort  Collins  is  not  a very  difficult 
one  except  in  winter.  From  the  western  side  the  approaches  to  the  park 
are  likewise  rugged.  The  Fort  Collins  route  is  through  the  Cache  a la 
Poudre  region,  famous  for  its  superb  hunting  and  fishing  facilities.  North 
Park  is  on  extensive  region,  with  many  varying  surface  features.  Its  length 
is  seventy-five  miles,  and  width  fifty  miles,  with  an  altitude  of  9,000  feet 
above  sea  level.  The  ranges  of  the  Rockies,  by  which  it  is  environed,  stand 
5,000  feet  higher.  For  game  it  has  no  equal  in  the  world,  while  numerous 
streams  running  through  it  are  the  homes  of  myriads  of  fish,  while  there  are 
plenty  of  deer,  elk,  antelope,  bear,  mountain  sheep,  grouse  and  quail,  squir- 
rels and  rabbits. 


10S 


COLORADO. 


North  Park  embraces  an  area  of  about  2,500  square  miles,  and  is  trav- 
ersed by  affluents  of  the  North  Fork  of  the  Platte  river,  whence  that  stream 
has  its  rise.  The  park  is,  in  its  general  features,  an  irregular  plateau,  or 
basin,  its  surface  diversified  with  gently  rolling  hills  and  l-ong  level  bottoms. 
The  valleys  are  clothed  with  luxuriant  grasses  and  flowering  plants,  and 
the  hills  are  covered  with  heavy  timber,  so  that  it  combines  all  the  natural 
beauties  of  hill  and  valley,  forest  and  plain.  Possessing  all  these  advan- 
tages, it  becomes  of  itself  a commonwealth  to  the  farmer,  the  herdsman  and 
the  hunter,  while  its  clear,  cool,  bracing  and  refreshing  atmosphere  is  ex- 
hilarating and  invigorating,  adding  its  charms  to  the  many  attractions  that 
invite  people  within  its  borders  for  health  and  recreation. 

In  the  mountains  to  the  west  of  North  Fork  is  Crystal  Lake,  a beautiful 
body  of  water,  which,  as  yet,  owing  to  its  remoteness  from  the  settlements, 
has  not  been  much  frequented  by  the  white  man,  and  though  it  cannot  be 
presented  in  reality  as  a resort  of  the  present,  except  to  the  hunter  and  the 
tourist,  the  lake  itself  and  its  surroundings  give  assurance  of  becoming  one 
of  the  great  attractions  of  the  future.  There  are  difficulties  in  the  way  of 
reaching  it  from  the  park,  but  these  difficulties  add  to  the  novelty  and  the 
romance  of  going  there.  The  route  lies  through  one  of  the  grandest  forests 
of  the  world.  For  ten  miles  the  foliage  is  so  dense  that  the  sun's  rays  can 
scarcely  penetrate  it.  and  the  silence,  as  the  traveler  wends  his  way  by  nar- 
row paths  between  the  trees,  though  oppressive,  inspires  the  tourist  to  moods 
of  meditation  and  flights  of  fancy  without  the  chance  of  interruption,  unless, 
peradventure,  a hungry  bear  or  ferocious  mountain  lion  should  spring  across 
his  pathway,  for  these  animals,  in  company  with  deer  and  elk,  the  bison, 
the  mountain  sheep  and  the  smaller  game,  are  the  original  and  only  resi- 
dents of  this  region,  now  that  the  Indian  is  gone,  leaving  this  legacy  to  the 
hosts  of  palefaces  who  will  soon  take  possession.  Emerging  from  this  dense 
forest  into  the  open  sunlight,  the  tourist  finds  himself  upon  the  highest 
point  of  the  mountain,  in  the  midst  of  a grassy  lawn  dotted  with  tiny  flowers, 
and  in  the  center  of  this  lawn  lies  a beautiful  lake,  circular  in  form,  and 
nearly  a mile  wide,  its  crystal  waters  glisten  in  the  sun,  reflecting,  as  in  a 
mirror,  every  object  on  its  banks.  From  this  point  there  is  a sublime  vision 
of  forests  below,  and  of  dark  ridges  and  lofty  mountain  peaks,  and  even 
glimpses  of  the  Laramie  Plains  and  the  Black  Hills  in  the  dim  distance 
beyond. 

MIDDLE  PARK. — Middle  Park  possesses  features  very  similar  in  most 
respects  to  those  of  North  Park,  but  having  many  advantages  in  the  points 
of  natural  attraction.  In  every  essential  it  is  one  of  the  great  resorts  of 
Colorado,  as  it  is  the  seat  of  the  famous  Grand  Lake  and  Hot  Sulphur 
Springs,  the  latter  so  celebrated  for  their  wonderful  curative  properties,  and 
the  former  for  its  great  beauty  and  delightful  surroundings.  Like  North 
Park,  it  is  begirded  by  stalwart  mountains,  a great  mountain  spur  dividing 
the  two  sections.  It  embraces  an  area  of  about  3.000  square  miles,  and  has 
an  altitude  of  9,000  feet.  The  streams  are  all  tributaries  of  the  Grand 
River,  flowing  mostly  in  a southwest  direction.  The  park  is  embraced  in 
Grand  county,  and  is  susceptible  to  a vast  amount  of  agriculture  in  the 
valleys  of  the  streams,  while  the  higher  grounds  and  the  hills  are  covered 
with  timber  and  abound  in  game,  and  the  streams  swarm  with  fish  of  the 
finest  varieties  to  be  found  in  the  mountains. 

The  route  to  Middle  Park  lies  through  Georgetown,  and  thence  over  Ber- 
thoud  Pass  by  stages  or  by  any  private  conveyance  that  may  be  desired. 
Grossing  the  range  from  Georgetown  to  Hot  Sulphur  Springs  is  a good  day’s 
ride  of  forty-five  miles  and  filled  with  scenery  that  is  wild,  gorgeous  and 
romantic. 

For  hunters,  fishermen,  tourists  and  camping  parties  seeking  a summer 
local  ion  for  pastime  and  health,  Grand  Lake  and  Hot  Sulphur  Springs  are 
the  objective  points,  for  here  they  find  all  requisite  conveniences  and  accom- 


COLORADO. 


109 


modations,  and  from  these  points  excursions  are  made  to  the  streams  and 
forests.  From  Georgetown  the  distance  to  Grand  Lake  is  fifty-five  miles, 
and  to  Hot  Sulphur  Springs  forty-five  miles.  Fare  for  the  round  trip,  by 
stage,  $11. 

On  the  shore  of  Grand  Lake  is  situated  the  town  Grand  Lake,  the  seat 
of  Grand  county.  The  winter  population  of  Grand  Lake  is  from  150  to  200, 
but  in  summer  it  is  double  that  number,  besides  the  number  of  visitors  who 
are  steadily  coming  and  going.  It  has  a good  hotel,  a saw  mill,  postoffice, 
a weekly  newspaper,  merchandise  stores  and  a number  of  private  residences. 
Thus  far  the  accommodations  have  not  been  provided  on  an  extensive  scale, 
because  of  the  custom  of  the  people  who  visit  the  lake,  who  take  tents  and 
all  necessary  camping  equipments  for  a summer  campaign. 

Grand  Lake  is  fed  by  two  vigorous  streams  that  rush  down  from  the 
melting  snows  on  the  mountains,  besides  numerous  springs  that  rise  in  the 
hills  near  by.  It  is  estimated  by  scientific  observers  that  about  an  equal 
amount  of  water  flows  away  at  the  outlet  into  the  channel  which  forms 
Grand  river.  This  might  be  taken  as  a matter  of  course,  inasmuch  as  there 
is  but  the  one  outlet.  But  there  is  an  important  fact  which  becomes  of  great 
interest,  and,  to  say  the  least,  opens  a broad  field  of  speculation.  Around  its 
borders  the  lake  has  a beach,  and  far  out  into  the  body  of  the  water  a sandy 
bottom.  In  the  center,  covering  an  area  of  nearly  a mile  square,  the  lake, 
to  all  appearance,  is  bottomless.  The  deepest  soundings  that  could  ever  be 
made  have  failed  to  reach  bottom.  Hence  it  is  concluded  that  it  has  no 
bottom,  but  that  its  waters  must  reach  a stopping  place  in  the  bowels  of  the 
earth  where  there  is  neither  leakage  or  seepage,  is  made  apparent  by  the 
equability  of  the  inlet  and  the  outlet.  Explorations  of  the  edges  of  this 
great  submarine  cavern  give  the  most  positive  evidences  that  it  was  once 
the  crater  of  a great  volcano.  But  how  is  it  explained  that  this  volcano  is 
down  in  a valley  away  below7  other  mountain  peaks?  The  only  answer  to 
the  query  must  be  that  the  present  depression  once  occupied  the  prominence- 
of  a peak,  but  that  with  the  ages,  after  the  fires  -were  extinguished,  the 
earth  has  gradually  settled  down  into  the  great  excavation,  forming  a basin 
which  attracted  the  waters  from  the  neighboring  mountains. 

For  the  uses  of  summer  visitors,  in  addition  to  the  numerous  fishing  and 
row  boats,  there  are  a number  of  small  sail  boats  and  a yacht  having  a 
seating  capacity  for  thirty  persons,  so  that  the  pleasure  seeker  may  spend  an 
entire  day,  if  he  choose,  sailing  about  upon  the  water  or  taking  good  exer- 
cise at  the  oar.  As  for  fishing,  he  need  unreel  his  line  but  an  hour  in  the 
day,  for  the  fish  are  so  plentiful  and  bite  so  freely,  that  to  catch  all  one  can 
carry  is  the  work  of  but  an  hour. 

Ilot  Sulphur  Springs  is  a small  town  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  Grand 
river,  at  the  head  of  Troublesome  Canon,  about  ten  miles  by  road  from 
Grand  Lake.  The  springs  are  situated  on  the  west  bank,  opposite  the  town, 
and  are  reached  by  a wagon  road  and  a bridge.  The  springs,  six  in  number, 
unite  in  a common  stream,  and  flow  over  a ledge  of  rocks  into  a natural 
basin,  over  which  the  bath  houses,  with  ante-rooms  adjoining,  are  built.  The 
waters  boil  up  from  the  base  of  a cliff  at  a temperature  of  117°.  Into  this 
steaming  caldron  the  bather  ventures,  and  if  he  has  physical  ails  for  -which 
sulphurous  fumes  are  a panacea,  he  will  surely  be  benefited,  as  is  the  testi- 
mony of  many  wdio  have  tried  it.  These  waters,  both  for  drinking  and  bath- 
ing, possess  remarkable  virtues  in  healing  skin  diseases,  liver  and  kidney 
diseases,  dyspepsia,  rheumatism  and  a host  of  kindred  complaints.  High 
up  among  the  mountains,  southwest  from  the  Hot  Sulphur  Springs,  are 
some  effervescing  soda  springs,  which  as  yet  are  unimproved.  An  analysis 
of  100,000  parts  of  the  water  of  Hot  Sulphur  Springs  gives  the  following- 
result: 


110 


COLORADO. 


Carbonate  of  soda 38.44 

Carbonate  of  litbia Trace 

Carbonate  of  lime 11.02 

Carbonate  of  iron 2.34 

Sulphate  of  potash 2.90 

Sulphate  of  soda 43.06 

Chloride  of' sodium 22.48 

Ammonia Trace 


Total  120.24 

Gases Car.  a.  c. 


The  hotel  accommodations  are  comfortable,  although  many  visitors  avail 
themselves  of  the  medicinal  virtues  of  these  waters  by  pitching  their  tents 
in  the  vicinity. 

A swimming  pool  and  four  private  bath  houses  constitute  the  facilities 
for  bathing  at  present. 

These  resorts  of  Middle  Park  are  fast  growing  into  popularity  and  with 
advancing  civilization  and  increased  facilities  for  travel,  the  park  will  not 
only  become  a great  health  and  pleasure  attraction,  but  a populous  section 
of  the  country. 

ESTES  PARK. — Situated  about  sixty  miles  from  Denver,  and  lying  at  the 
foot  of  Long’s  Peak,  is  Estes  Park,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  resorts  in  Colorado. 
The  park  is  about  six  miles  long  by  four  miles  wide,  and  is  hemmed  in  on  all  sides 
by  towering  mountains.  Its  altitude  averages  about  7,000  feet.  From  Love- 
land, public  coaches  and  private  conveyances  carry  excursion  parties  and 
summer  visitors  into  Estes  Park,  and  also  to  the  summit  of  Long’s  Peak, 
an  excursion  which  from  grandeur  of  scenery  and  lofty  and  a somewhat 
difficult  climb,  but  the  way  is  made  comparatively  smooth  by  graded  roads. 
It  is  the  journey  of  a day,  and  will  ten-fold  repay  the  visit,  for  there  is  no 
point  of  vantage  in  the  great  mountain  chain  that  gives  at  once  a vision  of 
cloud,  park  and  plain  so  glorious  and  comprehensive  as  the  summit  of  this 
most  handsome  promontory  of  the  Rockies.  This  view  covers  an  extent 
of  400  square  miles,  taking  in  every  prominent  peak  of  the  San  Juan,  Sangre 
de  Cristo,  Saguache,  Wood  river  and  other  great  ranges  of  the  continent. 

Estes  Park  has  long  been  a favorite  health  and  pleasure  resort  of  Colo- 
rado people,  and  becomes  popular  abroad  wherever  known,  because  of  its 
many  delights.  In  general  contour  it  is  not  unlike  the  other  valleys  which 
make  up  the  park  system  of  Colorado,  abounding  in  gentle  slopes,  dark  pines 
and  beautiful  winding  trails  leading  from  the  open  glades  of  the  valley  up 
dark  canons.  Its  clear  brooks,  fed  by  snowbanks  high  up  on  the  mountain 
sides,  and  filled  with  speckled  trout,  unite  in  one  big  stream,  the  Big  Thomp- 
son creek,  which,  breaking  through  the  hills,  winds  its  way  out  among  the 
fertile  fields  on  the  plains  below.  The  view  from  any  of  the  neighboring 
mountains  of  this  eharming  little  valley  is  one  of  tranquil  beauty,  in  marked 
contrast  with  the  sublimity  of  its  surroundings. 

It  is  the  fashion  of  Colorado  people,  particularly  from  the  cities  and 
towns,  to  take  their  families  and  friends  by  private  conveyance  to  Estes 
Park,  prepared  with  camp  equipage  and  provisions,  and  camp  by  the  side 
of  some  of  the  delightful  streams  which  are  so  numerous  there,  where,  for- 
getful of  the  toils  of  business  and  the  cares  of  life,  they  can  rest  and  enjoy 
the  sports  of  stream  and  forest. 

For  the  invalid  or  those  requiring  a more  quiet  retirement  and  desiring 
the  conveniences  and  luxuries  of  the  resort,  a "splendid  hotel  is  provided  for 
the  comfort  and  amusement  of  its  guests.  This  hotel  is  situated  in  the  center 
of  the  most  beautiful  part  of  the  park,  at  a point  originally  known  as  Estes 
Ranch,  but  which  might  now  be  named  Estes  Springs,  inasmuch  as  the 


COLORADO. 


Ill 


waters  are  strongly  impregnated  with  mineral,  having  the  medicinal  values 
which  have  made  the  name  of  Idaho  Springs  and  other  resorts  in  the  State 
so  famous.  From  points  within  easy  reach  of  the  hotel,  fine  views  can  be 
obtained  not  only  of  the  mountains  above,  but  of  cities,  towns  and  villages 
On  the  plains  below. 

SOUTH  PARK. — This  is  the  chief  beauty  of  the  park  system  of  Colo- 
rado. It  lies  a little  east  of  south  from  Middle  Park,  and  is  isolated  from  it 
by  the  great  Snowy  Range  and  a mass  of  mountain  spires  which  intervene 
for  a distance  of  many  miles.  Its  northern  extremity  begins  about  seventy- 
five  miles  southwest  of  Denver  and  about  twenty-five  miles  east  of  Leadville. 
It  is  fifty  miles  in  length  by  ten  miles  in  width.  It  is  bordered  on  the  east 
by  a heavily  timbered  range  2,000  feet  above  the  valley,  while  to  the  west 
the  Snowy  Range,  the  summit  of  the  Rockies,  extend  as  far  as  the  eye  can 
reach. 

South  Park  is  inseparably  connected  with  every  step  in  the  history  and 
development  of  Colorado.  Particularly  is  it  associated  with  the  earliest 
days  of  mining  and  railroad  construction.  From  the  first  it  became  the 
half-way  ground  and  the  oasis  for  the  miner  on  his  journey  between  the 
mountains  and  the  plains.  From  the  opening  at  the  summit  of  Kenosha 
Hill  to  the  border  of  the  Arkansas  Hills  on  the  south,  the  Colorado  and 
Southern  Railway  runs  in  almost  a straight  line  through  the  entire  length  of 
this  lovely  plain,  which  stretches  out  before  the  eye  in  its  verdant  beauty, 
the  ideal  park  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  In  its  peculiar  position,  as  it  lies 
between  the  mountains  that  border  it  upon  every  side,  it  becomes  a vast 
amphitheatre  to  the  panorama  of  mountain  views.  As  the  train  speeds  along 
through  it,  one  of  the  finest  views  in  America  can  be  seen.  The  Snowy 
Range  rises  up  in  full  view  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  and  in  this  view  can 
be  seen  the  highest  peaks  in  Colorado,  among  which  are  the  Guyot,  Ham- 
ilton. Lincoln.  Bross,  Buckskin,  Horseshoe,  Mt.  Lamborn  and  Silver  Heels, 
varying  from  13,565  to  14,336  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean. 

The  park  for  the  most  part  is  gently  undulating,  with  small  hills  at 
sufficiently  long  intervals  to  add  to  its  interest  and  beauty,  while  there  are 
intervening  areas  which  stretch  out  for  miles  in  level  plains,  forming  de- 
lightful views  that  would  entrance  the  eye  of  the  artist,  and  could  be  best 
described  in  a picture,  a poem,  or  a song. 

The  maximum  elevation  of  the  park  is  10,000  feet,  and  its  average  ele- 
vation 9,000  feet.  The  streams,  which  are  supplied  by  melting  snows  from 
the  surrounding  mountains,  are  tributaries  of  the  South  Platte.  These 
streams,  flowing  through  the  park  at  intervals,  as  if  arranged  by  nature  to 
serve  a great  purpose  before  starting  on  their  journey  of  usefulness  upon 
the  plains,  become  the  means  of  irrigating  these  level  lands.  Herein  lies 
probably  the  greatest  importance  of  this  section  of  country  to  the  State. 
Aside  from  its  many  beauties  of  location  and  its  loveliness  of  physical  feat- 
ures, and  apart  from  its  relation  to  the  railroads  and  the  mines,  South  Park 
is  a land  of  great  agricultural  capabilities.  Standing  on  the  line  of  the 
Colorado  and  Southern  Railway,  at  the  entrance  to  the  park,  and  looking 
southward  and  eastward  through  this  lovely  vale  for  twenty,  thirty  or  forty 
miles,  the  view  is  unobstructed,  and  in  the  midst  appears  the  vision  of  towns, 
villages,  stations,  farm  houses,  ranches  and  numberless  flocks  and  herds,  all 
giving  the  evidences  of  life,  industry  and  thrift.  But  it  is  not  a vision  only. 
It  is  the  realization,  as  if  of  a dream,  of  the  development  of  this  as  of  all 
parts  of  Colorado  that  is  available  to  agriculture.  Having  served  its  good 
uses  to  the  pioneer,  it  awaited  only  the  coming  of  the  railroad  to  reveal  its 
greater  purposes.  With  a soil  that  is  unrivaled  in  richness,  with  easy  facili- 
ties for  irrigation,  with  quick  and  convenient  access  to  the  markets,  and, 
withal,  a fast-increasing  population  of  industrious  people,  the  grassy  plains 
of  South  Park  were  soon  converted  into  fields  of  grain.  It  has  become 
wonderfully  productive  of  the  smaller  cereals,  of  potatoes,  hay  and  nearly 


112 


COLORADO. 


all  farm  products.  Here  all  varieties  of  grasses  grow  in  the  greatest  luxu- 
riance, and  it  is  the  most  abundant  liay-producing  section  of  the  State. 
Thus,  South  Park,  in  great  part,  has  become  an  important  self-sustaining 
industrial  section,  among  other  things  producing  cattle  and  sheep  in  great 
numbers,  and  of  the  finest  quality. 

Around  its  borders  are  numerous  coal  beds  and  gold  and  silver  mines, 
affording  occupation  for  large  numbers  of  settlers.  In  the  park  and  adjoin- 
ing mountains,  antelope,  deer,  elk,  bear,  grouse  and  rabbits  are  plentiful, 
while  the  streams  are  alive  with  the  finest  trout. 

But  all  these  things  inadequately  tell  what  South  Park  is  and  what  it  is 
to  be.  Within  the  park  are  numerous  mineral  springs.  It  has  not,  as  yet, 
been  classed  as  a health  or  pleasure  resort  in  any  special  way,  but  such  it 
has  become  to  the  settlers,  the  camping  parties  and  the  tourists,  and  it  has 
the  capability  of  establishing  within  its  borders  one  of  the  finest  resorts  in 
the  world.  Bayard  Taylor  writing  several  years  since  of  his  impressions  of 
this  park,  says:  “Whatever  effect  the  climate  of  Rocky  Mountain  region 
may  have  upon  settlers,  there  is  no  doubt  that  for  travelers  it  is  one  of  the 
most  favorable  in  the  world.  It  takes  fat  from  the  corpulent  and  gives  it 
to  the  lean;  it  strengthens  delicate  lungs  and  paints  palid  faces  with  color, 
and  invigorates  every  function  of  the  system.” 

The  South  Park  Mineral  Springs  and  Hartzell’s  Hot  Sulphur  Springs  lie 
on  the  bank  of  the  South  Platte  river,  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  park. 
These  waters  have  been  analyzed  and  found  to  contain  the  ingredients  in 
quantitive  values  that  render  them  equal  in  most  respects  to  the  curative 
. waters  of  the  standard  resorts  in  Colorado.  The  South  Park  Springs  are 
of  a general  nature  saline  and  alkaline,  and  the  name  of  the  Hot  Sulphur 
Springs  implies  its  value.  It  is  important  in  this  connection  to  bear  in  mind 
that  the  Hot  Springs  of  Colorado  are  the  most  efficacious  in  the  cure  of 
diseases  that  are  the  most  prevalent  with  humanity,  and  that  where  sulphur 
is  the  predominant  element,  the  greatest  efficacy  is  obtained,  especially  in 
the  cure  of  rheumatism,  the  many  varieties  of  kidney  diseases,  bladder 
inflammation,  derangement  of  the  stomach  and  liver  disease  in  its  many 
phases. 

Beside  all  the  advantages  that  are  enumerated,  South  Park  is  convenient, 
by  reason  of  the  railroad  facilities,  to  all  the  cities  on  the  plains,  to  the  min- 
ing districts  of  Leadville,  Breckenridge,  Fairplay  and  to  all  the  mining 
camps  and  towns  of  the  Gunnison  country.  It  is,  in  fact,  in  easy  communi- 
cation with  all  parts  of  th£  State,  and  there  is  no  part  of  the  State  with 
which  its  varied  interests  are  not  allied. 

MOUNTAIN  GRANDEURS. 

The  natural  attractions  of  Colorado  are  by  no  means  confined  to  her 
mineral  springs  resorts,  her  splendid  parks,  nor  to  her  beautiful  mountain 
lakes.  In  whatever  direction  the  traveler  may  choose  by  rail,  if  he  go  to 
the  mountains,  his  journey  is  a succession  of  glorious  scenery,  varying,  in  the 
characteristics  of  placid  beauty,  grotesque  ruggedness,  an  awe-inspiring 
grandeur.  Such  a journey  as  this  is  made  to  Denver,  to  Idaho  Springs,  Black 
Hawk  and  Central,  Georgetown  and  Graymont,  over  the  famous  Loop.  After 
passing  through  the  lovely  farms  between  Denver  and  Golden,  in  one  short  hour 
he  finds  himself  whirling  about  amid  the  rocky  labyrinths  of  Clear  Creek 
Canon,  whose  great  towering  walls,  turning  in  many  a tortuous  winding, 
reaching  into  the  air  in  places  1,500  feet  above  the  constantly  curving  track, 
and  seen  almost  to  meet  in  the  sky,  hiding  the  sun,  and  in  places  nearly 
shutting  out  the  light  of  day.  Up  and  up  the  canon,  by  heavy  grades  and 
difficult  curves,  these  stupendous  walls  rising  perpendicularly  or  gradually 
sloping  back  toward  the  greater  hills,  and  yet  again  leaning  forward  above 


COLORADO. 


113 


the  chasm  as  if  threatening  to  come  tumbling  down,  projecting  great  rocks 
that  hang  suspended  over  the  train  as  it  glides  smoothly  by,  it  is  a panorama 
of  wonders  and  grandeurs  such  as  belong  only  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
Every  bend  of  the  road  reveals  new  surprises,  and  he  who  sits  at  his  car 
'window,  or  has  availed  himself  of  a seat  in  the  observation  car  at  the  rear 
of  the  train,  cannot  help  but  look  upward  and  around  about  him,  and  gaze 
and  wonder.  Such  scenes  as  come  before  the  astonished  eye  seem  to 
paralyze  the  tongue.  There  is  no  language  for  the  occasion.  The  scene  is 
viewed  in  silence,  and  if  the  tongue  gives  utterance  it  is  only  to  say  “great,” 
“grand,”  “wonderful.”  And  such  it  is.  One  continues  to  gaze  upward,  and 
the  neck  becomes  tired  with  turning  from  one  wondrous  scene  to  the  other. 

At  what  is  called  the  Forks  of  the  Creek,  near  the  end  of  the  canon,  the 
road  branches,  one  division  passing  through  a continuation  of  these  gorgeous 
scenes  and  reaching  Black  Hawk  and  Central  City,  two  of  the  oldest  mining 
camps  in  the  State,  and  the  other  passing  through  the  beautiful  mountain 
town  of  Idaho  Springs,  and  thence  to  Georgetown,  Silver  Plume  and  Gray- 
mont,  from  which  latter  point  ponies  are  taken  to  the  top  of  the  majestic 
Gray’s  Peak.  Over  this  latter  portion  of  the  railroad  is  passed  the  famous 
Loop,  one  of  the  most  wonderful  examples  of  engineering  skill  in  the  world 
and  the  greatest  one  of  its  kind  in  North  America,  the  road  crossing  and 
reerossing  itself  at  different  altitudes,  in  the  shape  of  a lariat  noose  at  play, 
as  it  climbs  towards  the  clouds.  The  Loop  is  a piece  of  railroad  construction 
so  unusual  that  it  has  but  one  c-omprehnsive  description,  and  that  is  seen  in 
its  picture.  Technically,  it  has  been  described  in  many  publications,  but  not 
understood  by  all  readers.  The  route  of  the  railroad  lies  along  the  banks 
of  Clear  Creek,  which  at  this  altitude  is  a very  small  stream,  rushing  down 
the  narrow  valley  between  two  great  mountains.  The  passage  is  so  narrow 
for  a distance  of  half  a mile  or  more  between  Georgetown  and  Silver  Plume 
that  many  zigzag  turns  must  be  made  to  obtain  proper  grade  and  maintain 
the  direction.  Thus  a short  distance  from  Georgetown  the  road  runs  up  the 
creek  on  the  east  side  to  a point  where  it  must  make  a very  short  curve,  and 
cross  upon  a bridge  to  the  west  side  of  the  creek,  having  already  crossed  that 
portion  of  the  road  which  it  has  not  yet  traveled.  After  crossing  the  bridge 
it  runs  down  the  west  side  of  the  creek  to  a point  where  it  must  make 
another  short  curve,  and  cross  another  bridge  to  the  east  side  again,  and  in 
doing  so  recrosses  the  track  by  which  it  was  crossed  on  its  first  westward 
detour;  thence  it  proceeds  a second  time  westward  on  a third  parallel  track, 
and  by  numerous  other  tortuous  windings  till  it  reaches  Silver  Plume. 

When  the  train  reaches  Silver  Plume  the  traveler  may  look  ahead  and 
a long  way  upward  and  catch  a glance  of  the  pinnacle  of  Gray’s  Peak — and 
then  he  has  seen  at  a near  view  the  snow-crowned  crest  of  the  continent. 

Starting  again  from  Denver,  the  route  traverses  the  beautiful  Platte 
river  for  about  twenty  miles,  and  then  plunges  into  the  dark  and  wierdly 
beautiful  Platte  Canon.  Probably  no  other  railway  travel  of  fifty  miles 
furnishes  so  many  varied  forms  of  rocks  and  chasms  as  the  Platte  Canon. 
The  different  formations  assume  the  shapes  here  of  cathedral  spires,  there 
of  the  dome  of  some  immense  mosque,  and  then,  rapidly,  changing,  become 
the  battlements  of  fortified  castles,  as  if  it  were  at  one  time  the  home  of  a 
race  of  giants  now  extinct.  A fitting  sequal  to  this  romantic  stretch  of  road, 
and  one  presenting  as  violent,  but  no  less  pleasing  contrast,  is  the  glorious 
view  of  the  South  Park,  stretching  out  for  miles  from  Kenosha  Hill,  as  the 
train  emerges  from  the  canon.  This  vast  expanse  of  plain,  reaching  far 
away  to  the  southward,  is  dotted  by  numerous  ranches,  and  the  eye  becomes 
tired  in  striving  to  measure  the  vast  distance,  and  the  mind  in  conceiving 
what  is  in  the  far  beyond.  Upon  leaving  Como,  a station  a few  miles  be- 
yond, the  traveler  witnesses  another  piece  of  bold  engineering,  the  train  al- 
most immediately  beginning  a steep  climb,  doubling  and  redoubling  in  its 
course  until  the  summit  of  the  ascent,  Boreas  Pass,  is  reached,  at  an  altitude 
of  11,49S  feet.  The  change  from  the  summer  below  to  the  winter  and  snow 


114 


COLORADO. 


of  the  pass  is  as  rapid  as  it  is  marvelous.  Leaving  Boreas,  from  which  there 
is  a magnificent  view  of  both  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  slopes,  the  road  begins 
its  descent  in  a series  of  bewildering  twists  and  curves,  which  make  the 
traveler  fairly  dizzy  in  the  effort  to  realize  the  direction  he  is  going,  no  point 
of  the  compass  being  neglected,  as  the  road  takes  its  downward  course  to 
the  picturesque  town  of  Breckenridge  below.  From  this  point  the  road 
follows  the  beautiful  Blue  river  for  some  distance,  then  again  makes  a 
climb,  crossing  at  Fremont  Pass,  and  thence  through  the  most  romantic 
scenery  to  the  famous  mining  camp  of  Leadvill'e. 

Another  branch  of  the  road,  after  passing  through  the  Platte  Canon, 
leaves  Como  and  darts  across  the  great  South  Park,  after  a time  entering 
beautiful  valleys,  and  gradually  but  surely,  after  coquetting  at  the  base  of 
the  mountains,  ascending  towards  their  summit,  and  finally  crossing  the 
range  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  slope,  through  the  wonderful  Alpine 
Tunnel,  at  an  altitude  of  11,624  feet,  the  highest  railroad  point  in  the  United 
States.  From  here  the  road  makes  a gradual  descent  along  the  side  of  the 
mountain,  a shelf  having  been  cut  in  its  rocky  side  to  accommodate  the  road 
bed.  After  a downward  course  of  thousands  of  feet  the  beautiful  Quartz 
Creek  Valley  is  traversed,  and  the  city  of  Gunnison,  the  capital  of  a small 
empire  in  itself,  is  reached. 

Twenty-nine  miles  from  Denver  is  the  beautiful  mining  town  and  ideal 
summer  resort,  Boulder,  reached  by  the  Boulder  branch  of  the  Union  Pacific 
Railroad.  Some  of  the  most  quietly  romantic  spots  in  the  State  are  trav- 
ersed by  the  road  in  this  short  journey,  in  the  scenery  in  the  vicinity  of 
this  thriving  mountain  town,  making  of  it  an  extremely  attractive  place 
to  visitors.  Along  the  route  are  scattered  a number  of  beautiful  lakes,  and 
a short  distance  away  the  Seltzer  Springs,  whose  waters  are  much  esteemed 
for  their  medicinal  properties. 

Boulder  also  boasts  of  a beautiful  canon  in  its  vicinity,  which,  although 
not  as  extensive  as  some  of  the  others,  yet  claims  as  fine,  if  not  finer,  scenery 
than  some  of  those  already  described,  at  one  place  a beautiful  waterfall 
adding  largely  to  its  attractions.  A branch  of  the  road  runs  through  this 
canon,  and  to  the  top  of  the  range,  from  which  a magnificent  view  is  ob- 
tained of  snow-clad  peaks  of  different  altitudes  and  of  the  boundless  plains 
beyond. 


WRITE  TO 


B.  A.  McALLASTER, 

LAND  COMMISSIONER,  U.  P.  R.  R.  CO., 

OMAHA,  NEB. 

For  Maps  and  Prices  of 

FARMS,  RANCHES, 

GRAZING  LANDS  For  Sale  by 

UNION  PAGING  ftfllliROAD  COMPANY 

in  Kansas,  Nebraska, 

Colorado, 

Wyoming,  Utah* 

Prices: 

FARMS,  $4.00  TO  $10.00  PER  ACRE. 
RANCHES,  $1.50  TO  $5.00  PER  ACRE. 

GRAZING  LANDS,  .50  TO  $1.50  PER  ACRE. 


NEW  TEHMS  OF  SALE  UNION  PACIFIC  LANDS. 

Ten  Years’  Credit. 

One-tenth  of  the  purchase  money  is  payable  at  time  of  purchase.  At 
the  end  of  the  first  year  interest  only,  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent,  per 
annum  on  the  deferred  purchase  money,  is  payable.  At  the  end  of  the 
second  year,  and  each  year  thereafter,  one-tenth  of  the  purchase  money 
becomes  due,  together  with  interest  on  the  deferred  amount  at  the  rate  of 
six  per  cent,  per  annum. 

Contracts  may  be  paid  up  in  full  at  any  time  before  maturity,  and  in- 
terest will  be  charged  only  to  the  date  of  final  payment. 

Five  per  cent,  discount  will  be  allowed  upon  the  unpaid 
unmatured  installments  of  principal,  which  have  more 
than  nine  months  to  run,  where  final  payment  is  made 
upon  a contract  within  five  years  after  its  date. 

Ten  per  cent,  discount  will  he  allowed  from  list  prices 
upon  cash  sales. 


* 


INFORMATION 

• •>  REGARDING 

THE  TERRITORY  TRAVERSED  BY  THE  UNION  PACIFIC,  TICKETS,  BAGGAGE,  PULLMAN 
OR  .TOURIST  SLEEPING  CAR  BERTHS,  MAPS,  TIME  TABLES,  ETC.,  WILL  BE 
• * CHEERFULLY  FURNISHED  ON  APPLICATION  TO  ANY  REPRESENTATIVE 

of  the  UNION  PACIFIC  PASSENGER  DEPART- 
MENT AT  THE  AGENCIES  NAMED  BELOW. 


ALBANY,  N.  Y 

BOSTON,  MASS 

BUFFALO,  N.  Y 

BUTTE,  MONT 

CHEYENNE,  WYO 

CHICAGO,  ILL 

CINCINNATI,  OHIO  

CLEVELAND,  OHIO 

COUNCIL  BLUFFS,.  IOWA. 

DENVER,  COLO 

DES  MOINES,  IOWA 

DETROIT,  MICH.... 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND 

j KANSAS  CITY,  MO 

! LEAVENWORTH,  KAN... 

LINCOLN,  NEB 

LONDON,  ENG 

LOS  ANGELES,  CAL 

NEW  YORK  CITY 

OAKLAND,  CAL 

OGDEN,  UTAH 

OMAHA,  NEB 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA 

PITTSBURG,  PA 

PORTLAND,  ORE 

ST.  JOSEPH,  MO 

j ST.  LOUIS,  MO 

ST.  PAUL,  MINN 

SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL.... 

SIOUX  CITY,  IOWA 

YOKOHAMA,  JAPAN 


23  Maiden  Lane 

5 State  Street 

, 210  Ellicott  Square 

50  North  Main  Street 

Union  Pacific  Depot 

191  South  Clark  Street 

Room  36,  Carew  Building 

137  The  Arcade 

Union  Pacific  Transfer 

941  Seventeenth  Street 

401  Walnut  Street 

67  Woodward  Avenue 

7 Jackson  Place 

1000  Main  Street 

22S  Delaware  Street 

1044  O Street 

122  Pall  Mall 

250  South  Spring  Street 

( 287  Broadway 

1010  Broadway 

v ,LTnion  Depot 

1302  Farnam  Street 

. . . .Room  S,  iS  South  Broad  Street 

1016  Carnegie  Building 

135  Third  Street 

Board  of  Trade  Building 

903  Olive  Street,  Century  Building 

376  Robert  Street 

201  Main  Street 

1 Montgomery  Street 

506  Fourth  Street 

4 Water  Street 


E.  DICKINSON, 

General  Manager. 


E.  L.  LOMAX, 

General  Passenger  and  Ticket  Agent. 


OMAHA.  NEB. 


